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Resilience Care for the People Holding it All Together
Check out our resilience care tools
Joyful democracy is democracy where you are empowered, engaged, and energized—
not just enduring the fight, but thriving in it.
If you’re organizing, advocating, educating, litigating, researching, reporting, or building a more just world, you’re not just doing a job—
you’re sustaining democracy itself.
That work is courageous.
But let’s be real: it’s also exhausting.
You’re navigating burnout, backlash, and systems that weren’t designed for your thriving.
And yet, you keep going.
That’s why we created the Joyful Democracy Coaching Initiative—
to care for you, the people holding it all together.
Why this Initiative Exists
You are not a machine. You are not a function. You are a person with a heart, a history, and a vision.
At The Social Leadership Coach, we believe that sustaining democracy starts with sustaining the people who defend it.
This initiative is our love letter to YOU as a joyful democracy defender — it is volunteer-run, values-driven, and built to serve.
Our goal? Resilience, clarity, and joy for those doing the hardest work.
Our Resilience Care Tools for Joyful Democracy Defenders
We offer 3 free resilience care tools: a book, a book circle, and an individual coaching program. You can engage with any or all of them. Use what fits. Leave what doesn’t. Come back when you need it.
1. The Book – This Work Should Feel Better: Joyful Democracy for the People Holding it All Together
Part field guide, part soul balm. This book was written specifically for democracy defenders like you.
Inside you’ll find coaching prompts, real stories, and small practices to help you reclaim clarity, presence, and purpose.
Read the book FREE in PDF format
Listen to the AI-narrated book FREE in MP3 format
Purchase the book on Amazon or other retailers (this is a great way to support our work)
2. Book Circles – Joyful Democracy Book Circles
Democracy is sustained in community.
Joyful Democracy Book Circles are small group spaces where defenders can gather, reflect, and reconnect—guided by the book and a free facilitator’s guide.
Join a circle hosted by us, or start your own with colleagues, volunteers, or friends.
Access the FREE Facilitator Book Circle Guide in PDF format
Sign Up for Our Upcoming Book Circle Dates
Mondays at 5 PM ET, starting May 5, 2025
3. Individual Coaching
You don’t have to push through alone.
This program matches you with a credentialed coach for up to 5 free, confidential coaching sessions. Together, you’ll create space to:
Reconnect with your purpose and your power
Recenter and restore your energy
Navigate leadership and advocacy challenges
Sessions are free.
If you’d like, you can contribute a symbolic $7.25/hour (the U.S. federal minimum wage) to reflect and honor the economic realities of democracy defending work.
You Matter. Your Leadership Matters. Your Joy Matters.
People sustain democracy.
People are sustained by community.
You care for democracy. We’re here to care for you.
Questions or ideas? Contact us: joyfuldemocracy@thesocialleadershipcoach.com.
Learn more about the co-creators of this initiative by exploring The Social Leadership Coach.
Coach interested in volunteering? Apply here.
FAQs
Q: Can non-credentialed coaches volunteer for the Joyful Democracy Coaching Initiative?
A: Absolutely! Non-credentialed coaches can contribute in valuable ways, such as coordinating efforts, facilitating group learning experiences and book clubs, or offering workshops on topics like resilience, leadership, or well-being.
For individual coaching engagements, we prioritize coaches with credentials from internationally recognized bodies (such as ICF, EMCC, IAC, Association for Coaching, or Board certification). These credentials ensure ethical standards and clear agreements between coaches and clients.
If you’re a non-credentialed coach passionate about providing individual coaching, we encourage you to explore credentialing pathways while engaging in other impactful roles within the initiative. We’d love to have you as part of this community!
Q: Who qualifies to receive coaching?
A: Coaching is available to individuals working to defend joyful democracy, including organizers, civil rights advocates, legal defenders, and others involved in civic engagement, justice, and democracy-building efforts. This includes both staff and volunteers at nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, grassroots initiatives, and similar spaces.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, apply anyway! We’re here to support those doing the hard work of sustaining democracy.
Q: What types of challenges can coaching help with?
A: Coaching provides a space to reflect, strategize, and build resilience. Some common topics include:
- Preventing burnout and sustaining energy in demanding work
- Navigating leadership challenges and decision-making
- Strengthening communication and conflict resolution skills
- Managing stress, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion
- Clarifying goals and aligning personal values with professional work
- Reconnecting with purpose and motivation
Every coaching experience is unique, based on what you need most.
Q: How do I know if coaching is right for me or my organization?
A: If you or your team are facing stress, decision fatigue, or the emotional toll of working in democracy-defending spaces, coaching can provide relief and support. Coaching is ideal for those who want to:
- Gain clarity on challenges and next steps
- Build resilience and prevent burnout
- Strengthen leadership skills and self-efficacy
- Have a confidential, supportive space to process their experiences
If you’re still unsure, feel free to reach out with questions or apply for a conversation to explore fit.
Q: How are coaches matched with participants?
A: Participants provide information in their application about their needs and preferences. We then match them with a credentialed volunteer coach whose expertise aligns with their goals.
Matching is based on availability, coaching style, and the specific challenges participants are facing. Once connected, the coach and participant establish their own coaching agreement based on the ICF Code of Ethics.
Q: Is coaching the same as therapy or mentorship?
A: No, coaching is distinct from therapy and mentorship:
- Therapy focuses on healing past wounds, mental health concerns, and emotional processing. Coaching, on the other hand, is forward-focused and action-oriented.
- Mentorship involves guidance from someone with expertise in a specific field. Coaching does not provide advice or directives but helps clients develop their own insights and strategies.
Coaching is about empowering individuals to find their own solutions, navigate challenges, and build sustainable well-being.
