YOU ARE BRILLIANT!
And if you are experiencing burnout, you are not alone.
If you got into this work because you care, it is easy for that care to turn into a reason that you never stop working. Burnout is epidemic and it’s hard to defeat alone, or with the usual tools of project management. The problem isn’t prioritizing, it’s a culture that teaches you not to trust yourself.
There is a way, and it’s not a training. It’s a journey to a wise place that is inside you, waiting for you. This journey is called Leadership M.A.G.I.C., a 9-week, myth-based journey to remember what lights you up and learn how to claim that fire.
This Burnout Has to Stop.
There is a massive reserve of creativity, joy and genius within the women and queer and BIPOC leaders of the progressive movement that is being systematically snuffed out, extracted and burned up… because we “don’t have time” to be smart, relational, long-term, creative, deep, do fewer things better.
We don’t have time not to. And we can’t defeat burnout apart. But we can, together.
We need each other
because alone, we get tricked into believing, “Sure, burnout is systemic, but my case is different.”
“I just need to… (prioritize, manage my time, etc)”
(How long have you been saying this?)
Now Open: The Fall 2025 Cohort of Leadership M.A.G.I.C.
When the world is on fire, your brilliance matters more than ever. You can’t share it when you are exhausted, over-extended and pretending. In this cohort program, you’ll do more than deal with burnout. You’ll set a goal for a different way of being, and then manifest it, one step at a time and with a circle of leaders like you: caring, brilliant and determined to reclaim their lives and their spark.
This is not a training. It is a journey guided by the myth of Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Wise, who claims her fire from the witch in the woods. As we travel this ancient teaching story, you will be cared for, seen, supported and challenged to remember the magic that is within you.
Each week, you’ll follow this wise myth with a new self-paced lesson. You’ll meet with your cohort for a ritual/workshop or drop-in coaching. Each week, you’ll learn a practical skill for deconstructing burnout culture and demanding something different – while you open your heart and mind to deserving better. These 9 lessons have helped more than 50 leaders to stop burnout, build better workplaces and shine their light… instead of letting it burn out.
3 Steps to Leadership Magic
1. Join the Circle
When you sign up for this Fall 2025 Cohort, you join a maximum of 12 people in your cohort. They are your circle: caring and committed leaders who will do deep work alongside you and witness yours. Check out our group agreements here.
2. Follow the Path.
Beginning with Lesson One, you’ll take clear, simple steps. Before our first workshop, I’ll meet with you 1:1 to help you refine your goal. Each lesson will combine self-paced work (about an hour per week) with a group ritual or coaching. I’ll guide you every step of the way.
3. Set Yourself Free.
This journey reveals the power that is yours to claim and how much better life can be without burnout. You’ll go from convinced there’s nothing you can do to confident in your intuition, your options and your agency.
After Leadership M.A.G.I.C. you’ll have…
The ability to say no without guilt — and trust that your value doesn’t come from your exhaustion.
A deep, embodied sense of worth that isn’t tied to productivity, perfection, or performance.
Clarity on what you actually want — not just what your job, community, or mentors expect of you.
A circle of others like you — powerful, caring, principled — who truly see you. (And ongoing community with our upcoming alumni program.)
A life rhythm that feels more spacious, less frantic — with time for rest, reflection, and joy.
The confidence to take up space — in meetings, online, in relationships — without shrinking or apologizing.
Permission to want more — money, visibility, pleasure, beauty — and know that you still belong.
Program Components
The Leadership M.A.G.I.C. Fall 2025 Cohort includes:
10 On-Demand Videos & Worksheets: Each week’s lesson begins with a short video and story sheet. These exercises have been tried and tested by more than 50 leaders at multiple public, non-profit and for-profit institutions. They are simple and powerful.
5.5 Hours of Live Rituals: These are moments of deep work and each contains a ritual that enhances the journey. They will be recorded for members to access later.
7.5 Hours of Drop-In Coaching: Bring your lesson questions, comments or your quiet co-working and connection time.
One Individual Coaching Session: You’ll begin your journey with a 1:1 coaching session to make sure your goal glitters and will make big change. Members of this program can book additional 1:1 sessions if you wish.
Early Bird Registration bonus: One additional 1:1 coaching session, a $275 value. Register before August 10 to get this bonus!
Benefits for Individuals: Empower Your Leadership Journey
As a participant, you'll:
Embody Your Values: Use somatic tools like the Values Star to connect with your integrity, enhancing decision-making and confidence.
Make Confident Decisions: Develop practices that help you reduce burnout and navigate challenges with clarity and self-assurance.
Become a Wise Guide: Learn a transformative map of change, equipping you to lead with wisdom and authenticity.
This program is designed to help you reclaim your leadership power, align your actions with your values, lead with confidence… and banish burnout.
Self-Pay Rate: $900
Benefits for Employers: Build the Resilience and EQ of Your Team
Investing in the Leadership M.A.G.I.C. Program equips your team with the tools to:
Prevent Burnout: Implement practices that protect against burnout, ensuring sustained energy and effectiveness.
Build a Healthy Culture: Foster an environment where well-being and productivity coexist, leading to a more engaged and effective team.
Enhance Team Function: Develop leadership skills that improve communication, collaboration, and overall team dynamics.
By supporting your leaders in this journey, you're investing in the long-term health and success of your organization.
Employer Rate: $1,350 per person (Group rates available)
(Sample reimbursement request letters with program details are available! Contact us to ask for one.)
Program Schedule
OVERVIEW
Program begins September 15, ends November 18.
Weekly on-demand lessons. Expect to spend about an hour, including a short video and worksheet.
Workshops or optional, drop-in coaching 1-2:30pm for nine Tuesdays, from September 23 to November 18.
Lessons 1, 3, 6 and 9 include important live teachings and/or rituals at the workshops. Plan to attend these if you can. And if not, they will be recorded.
Lessons 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 offer optional drop-in coaching sessions. We are maximizing connection and flexibility so that you can co-work in community, ask questions and receive coaching as you need it.
DETAILED SCHEDULE
July 28 – Early Bird Registration opens! Early birds get a second 1:1 coaching session for use anytime in the program.
August 11 – Regular Registration begins
September 15 – 23: Complete Lesson One (about 1 hour) then meet with Ella 1:1.
September 23 – Ritual* for Lesson One, 1-2:30 pm PST
September 30 – Drop-in Coaching/Co-working for Lesson Two, 1-2:30pm PST.
October 7 – Ritual* for Lesson Three, 1-2:30pm PST.
October 14 – Drop-in Coaching/Co-working for Lesson Four, 1-2:30pm PST.
October 21 – Drop-in Coaching/Co-working for Lesson Five, 1-2:30pm PST.
October 28 – Ritual* for Lesson Six, 1-2:30pm PST. (The Healing Ritual)
November 4 – Drop-in Coaching/Co-working for Lesson Seven, 1-2:30pm PST.
November 11 – Drop-in Coaching/Co-working for Lesson Eight, 1-2:30pm PST.
November 18 – Final Ritual* for Lesson 9, 1-2:30pm PST.
*All workshops will be recorded.
Here’s what clients say…
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“I benefitted tremendously from the coaching I received from Ella Andrews. In my estimation, Ella has command of all aspects of human management and communication; and she also understands the realities of working in a political environment. I also believe that my team is stronger, in no small part thanks to the leadership skills I developed during my time with Ella. Ella taught me how to identify and develop my own set of leadership values. As a result, I am now able to lead in a way that is authentic, fair and courageous; and that allows me to maintain my personal integrity in a political and dynamic workplace. Simply put, I am the leader I am today thanks to Ella.”
~ Jeff Muhm, Public Sector Director
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“I met Ella right before the pandemic began and healthcare went into a period of unprecedented uncertainty and overwhelm. I rose quickly (probably too quickly) from an individual contributor to a senior manager in a little over a year. I found myself cosplaying as what I thought a manager was supposed to be while feeling completely disconnected from my inner self, my core values, and the reason I wanted to become a leader in the first place. Ella helped me reconnect with myself and the deep ways of knowing that I had been refusing to acknowledge or incorporate into my presence as a leader. She guided me to grow into my leadership role with confidence and resilience. I use the strategies she taught me every day. I am so grateful to Ella for her expertise, her kindness, her humor, and her fierce commitment to creating healthier work cultures by empowering leaders to bring their whole selves to work. It’s a gift I will treasure for the rest of my career.”
~ Kai Roller, Regional Manager: Primary Care Social Work, Ob/Gyn Counselors, Kaiser Permanente
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“Working with Ella couldn't have come at a better time. I was relatively early in my career and felt surrounded by uncertainty. I was used to navigating that uncertainty by being who and what I thought I should be. Ella helped me realize that in the midst of uncertainty, attunement to my body and my values is a more sustainable and powerful remedy. Using Ella’s tools, I developed a vision and confidence that has equipped me to navigate the challenging realities of political work in a way that feels authentic to me. I walked away with a deep belief that if we work collectively and with integrity, we can make important changes in the world. The impact of my time with Ella has rippled far beyond my work life in important and supportive ways, and I cannot recommend her coaching enough.”
~ Clara Manahan, Public Sector Analyst
Meet Your Coach
I work with progressive leaders because I love their brilliance, commitment and love of this world. And because when we support each other’s genius, there’s no limit to what we can do.
I know that you can do this. I’m here to help.
I am a certified coach who has helped hundreds of leaders grow into grounded confidence, build healthy culture and banish burnout. In over 30 years of experience, my clients have included local governments, congressional and legislative campaigns, elected officials, national and local non-profits and foundations. (Click here if you’d like to see a CV.) At the same time, I’ve been teaching storytelling, ritual and conscious change at earth-based spirituality retreats.
My unique combination of political experience and ritual, skilled facilitation, practical tools and finely honed intuition come together in my work: helping you be the leader you were born to be.
FAQs
What is the cost?
Many organizations invest in coaching and development for their leadership teams. But not all. To increase program accessibility for those who need it most, there are two payment options. Employer pay is $1,350, with group rates available. (Comparable coaching programs run from $1,500 to $2,500 or more. Not that there’s anything else like this: ) Self pay is $900. If you’d like to inquire about group rates or see our sample reimbursement request letter, which includes program benefits and details, Use the contact page to get in touch.
What does M.A.G.I.C. stand for?
That acronym describes the healing journey within this program: Marry your shadow, Activate your Values, Give your unique gifts, Increase belonging and Create effective rituals. These are key skills for effective leadership that builds great culture and says no to burnout.
Why do some lessons have rituals and others not?
Lessons 1, 3, 6 and 9 have rituals because they are key points in the journey: setting out, stepping into the unknown, healing in the cave and sharing your wisdom.
Where did this program come from?
I created this program to address the epidemic of burnout in 2019, and adapted it to be a leadership development and culture change project for the King County Council. That two-year project strengthened individual connection to self-esteem, self-awareness and confident decision-making. We improved culture by increasing relational skills and connections, communication skills and other kinds of cultural expertise. I used a myth because changing deep habits/ culture requires imagination and stories help us make change together. I used the myth of Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Wise because it is a great map for taking intentional risks to reclaim collective power. The project included five cohorts, totaling three dozen leaders as well as facilitation of the leadership committee and all staff communication and presentations. It was a wonderful success and I still work with some of the folks there. I have since updated and offered the journey to more than a dozen leaders facing burn out, team dysfunction, crises of faith and more. It is a map for making transformative change of many kinds.
