"Just set boundaries" is the standard advice for avoiding open source burnout. It's also completely ineffective, as I discovered after interviewing 120+ maintainers about their experiences with burnout.
Through compelling case studies and research data, you'll discover:
1. The three behavioral patterns that predicted maintainer burnout with 83% accuracy in our study
2. Why traditional "self-care" advice fundamentally misunderstands the psychology of maintainers
3. The specific governance structures that dramatically reduced burnout in projects that implemented them
This talk integrates quantitative research with deeply personal stories from maintainers who either recovered from or succumbed to burnout. You'll leave with practical, evidence-based approaches for individuals, projects, and organizations to create environments where maintainers can thrive long-term.