When the world feels like it's on fire, it's tempting to hide. To stop showing up. To freeze in the middle of all the chaos and convince yourself that promoting your business right now is somehow "too much."

But here's the truth: the world doesn't need you to shrink. It needs you to keep shining.

In this raw and real conversation, Leonie and Tam dive deep into why growing your business during challenging times isn't selfish—it's essential. They share personal stories from bushfire evacuations, pandemic lockdowns, and yes, even ice skating accidents (complete with sprained tailbones and all the middle-aged gasps).

You'll discover why preserving your sanity, building your business, and being a regulated human actually helps the world more than doom-scrolling ever could. Plus, they get wonderfully sidetracked talking about fancy chairs, flash cows, and the importance of sniffing your children's heads for a dopamine hit.

Because we contain multitudes, darlings. And your business? It's part of your activism, your resistance, and your contribution to making this world a little bit better.

We Cover:

• Why freezing and doom-scrolling helps nobody (and what to do instead)
• How to preserve your nervous system regulation during global chaos
• The importance of being visible as an act of resistance
• Creating abundance so you can direct resources where they're needed most
• How to choose your activism focus without burning out
• The difference between being in the epicenter of crisis vs. witnessing from outside
• Practical self-care that actually regulates your nervous system (20-second hugs, anyone?)
• Why your email list matters more than ever (especially when social media platforms aren't yours)
• How Leonie's donated over $170,000 through her business (and how you can too)

Key Insights

• We're not built for 24/7 news cycles and live-streamed gore—it creates vicarious PTSD and complete dysregulation
• Being frozen, passive, and overwhelmed serves the negative powers that be—don't give them that satisfaction
• Your business gives you economic freedom, security, and the ability to help others in tangible ways
• When you turn up to your work, you're creating a soft pillow for others' spirits to land on
• Choosing one main activism focus prevents burnout and creates deeper impact
• The world needs more good-hearted people with money who'll use it ethically
• Visibility itself is an act of resistance—being seen, speaking out, and continuing to build
• Your platform matters, no matter the size—even a couple hundred people seeing your stance makes a difference
• Regulate yourself first: nature, beauty, connection, hugs, and sniffing your kids' heads all count
• You can control your tiny corner of the world—your business—and make it abundant, beautiful, and helpful

If this episode resonated with you, we'd love for you to:

• Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode
• Leave a review sharing what spoke to you most
• Share this with another business owner who needs to hear this right now
• Join Leonie's Academy for ongoing support, training, and a community of brilliant souls building businesses that matter → leoniedawson.com/academy

Who is this podcast for?

This podcast is for creative, passionate, neurodivergent women entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that actually matter. If you're tired of hustle culture, done with toxic productivity, and ready to create success on your own terms while making a real difference in the world—you're in exactly the right place.

• 2026 Dream Quest → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWgHl4wwdPo

• Bush Heritage Australia → bushheritage.org.au
• Australian Wildlife Conservancy → australianwildlife.org

• "On Tyranny" by Timothy Snyder (graphic novel version)
• Hag Sofi Ergonomic Chair

#womenentrepreneurs #consciousbusiness #neurodivergententrepreneur #businessactivism #ethicalbusiness #spiritualentrepreneur #creativebusiness #femalebusinessowner #entrepreneurmindset #businesswithpurpose