Sometimes the world breaks our hearts wide open. And when tragedy strikes—whether it's in our backyard or across the globe—we need to know how to hold both our humanity AND our mental health.

In this deeply important episode, Leonie and Tamara share their wisdom on navigating collective grief, communal trauma, and how to be a good steward of your own nervous system when the news cycle feels overwhelming.

They explore the recent tragedy in Sydney with tender care, offering practical tools for processing difficult events without sacrificing your wellbeing. You'll learn why your empathic nature might be working against you right now, how to protect your energy when you're feeling everything, and concrete ways to help your community heal.

This isn't about toxic positivity or looking away. It's about staying present, connected, and regulated so you can actually show up for the people who need you most.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Understanding collective vs. personal grief
• Protecting your nervous system from 24/7 news cycles
• The surprising science of Tetris for PTSD prevention
• How to talk to kids about tragedy (age-appropriately)
• Energy boundaries for highly sensitive people
• Finding the helpers and celebrating acts of courage
• Practical ways to support affected communities
• Holding space for nuanced, complex conversations

KEY INSIGHTS:

• Collective grief is real and different: When tragedy strikes a community, you can literally feel emotions in your body that aren't yours—this is collective grief, and it requires different processing than personal loss
• Your nervous system wasn't designed for this: Humans aren't built to handle 24/7 streaming news and graphic footage. Limiting media consumption isn't avoidance—it's essential mental health care
• The Tetris technique actually works: Research shows playing classic Tetris within 24 hours of trauma exposure can help prevent PTSD by engaging your brain's visual processing centers
• Empaths need extra protection: If you're highly sensitive or empathic, you MUST actively call your energy back to yourself. You cannot process other people's trauma for them
• Look for the helpers, then BE one: From blood donations to checking on vulnerable friends to advocating for policy change—there are always meaningful ways to contribute
• Ritual creates healing: Collective ceremonies, vigils, and shared practices help communities metabolize grief and strengthen bonds during crisis
• Kids need minimal facts, maximum safety: Give children age-appropriate information, ensure they feel safe, and teach them how to support friends from affected communities
• You're allowed to be okay when others aren't: This is a crucial boundary, especially for women conditioned to regulate everyone else's emotions

NOTABLE QUOTES:

"We as humans are not designed to cope with 24/7 streaming news. We are not designed to cope with that level of information." — Leonie

"You can help better when your energy is with you than scattered all around the place." — Tamara

"You are allowed to be okay in your own body even when other people are not okay." — Leonie

WHO THIS PODCAST IS FOR:

This episode is for sensitive souls, empaths, and anyone who feels the weight of the world a little too heavily. It's for women entrepreneurs, creatives, and neurodivergent folks who want to stay informed and compassionate without sacrificing their mental health. If you've ever felt guilty for "not doing enough" during a crisis or struggled with energy boundaries during difficult times, this one's for you.

LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Australian Red Cross Lifeblood (blood donation)

#collectivegrief #mentalhealth #empathboundaries #nervoussystemhealing #traumarecovery #communityhealing #sensitivesoul #energyprotection #selfcare #womenentrepreneurs