The Leonie Dawson Show

What happens when a colourful, hand-illustrated goals workbook accidentally goes viral? In this episode, Leonie shares the wild, unfiltered story behind the globally loved Goals Workbooks — used by over half a million people and generating over a million dollars in revenue.

From a $9 backyard PDF to hitting #1 and #3 on Amazon Australia at the same time, this is the real journey: the magic, the meltdowns, the missing dates, the horse posters, “Operation Rescue,” print runs gone rogue, and the moment Leonie realised she never wanted to run a big product-based business again.

If you’re an online business woman, planner lover, or goal-setting girly, this is your up-close peek at what scaling a physical product REALLY takes — and why simplicity, sustainability and sanity matter more than spirals and stickers.

What we cover:

• How a homemade PDF became a million-dollar global movement

• The viral moment on Twitter that changed everything

• Coaches, workshops + the yearly ritual the workbooks created

• Why the workbooks are unapologetically colourful, magical + for women

• The messy truth behind printing 80,000+ products and shipping worldwide

• Distribution disasters, held-hostage stock + “Operation Rescue”

• The infamous planner missing January 1

• When customers received a giant horse poster (or a memorial plaque) instead

• Burnout, illness + why Leonie simplified her business model

• The Workbook Charity Program that has served 250,000+ people

• The 1% goal-setting rule and why writing goals down actually works

Timestamps:

00:00 – The accidental workbook empire

How a $9 PDF became a global bestseller.

03:19 – Why Leonie created her own planner

No cute, holistic, magical goal-setting tools existed — so she made one.

04:17 – The viral launch

1,000+ sales in two weeks and the start of a worldwide movement.

06:46 – How the workbook community grew

Bulk orders, workshops, and annual planning traditions.

07:48 – The workbook vibe

Maximalist, rainbow, unicorn energy — and why it’s not for the “beige girly” crowd.

11:52 – Expanding to a full product line

Life + biz workbooks, planners, diaries, posters + pads.

13:31 – The huge print runs

$450k+ in printing, 100+ countries, custom shipping systems, and endless logistics.

18:47 – When the US distribution house stopped shipping

Thousands of Christmas orders stuck. No answers. Rising panic.

20:52 – Operation Rescue

A contractor drives across the US in snowmageddon to retrieve pallets after extortion-level “release fees.”

26:59 – Running the business during rainforest blackouts

No power, no reception, and answering thousands of customer emails from the car.

28:43 – The missing-January-1 disaster

The planner misprint that still haunts Leonie and Tam.

35:49 – The Lulu era: horse posters + memorial plaques

A 10% error rate and brand chaos — the final straw.

43:19 – Choosing sustainability over scale

Why Leonie walked away from the old model to preserve her health and joy.

46:20 – The charity program

How 250,000+ people in floods, cancer treatment, prisons and low-income communities have used the workbooks.

49:00 – The 1% rule of goal-setting

Why writing and reviewing your goals puts you in the highest-achieving category of all.

51:20 – Get the 2026 Goals Workbooks

Digital versions ($9.95) or printed editions on Amazon worldwide.

#goalsetting #goalsworkbook #plannergirl #plannercommunity #onlinebusiness #womeninbusiness #creativeentrepreneur #neurodivergententrepreneur #annualplanning #leoniedawson

What happens when a young woman survives stage 4 cancer, lives off-grid in a shipping container, and then decides to run her entire business while traveling the world? You get the wisdom, grace, and gentle magic that is my friend Amanda Rootsey.

In this soul-nourishing conversation, Mandy (affectionately known as "Second Mother" to my kids) shares how she built a thriving online business that serves teen girls globally while traveling full-time with her husband. We dive deep into what it really means to build a gentle, sustainable business that nourishes you instead of depleting you—and why you absolutely don't need to work 80-hour weeks to make it work.

From her cancer journey that changed everything, to discovering how different cities draw out different parts of your identity, to accidentally winning board games while being the nicest person in the room—this conversation is a masterclass in living intentionally, working gently, and creating a business that actually feels good.

✨ How surviving stage 4 cancer at 24 led Mandy to create her dream business mentoring teens

✨ The research-backed reason why every teen needs supportive adults beyond their parents

✨ Why your business rituals might need to shift based on where you're physically located

✨ How to run a successful online business while traveling full-time (and the fears that came up)

✨ The gentle business collective model and why treating yourself like a therapist for your business actually works

✨ Why most teens just want adults to LISTEN, not teach or fix them

✨ The magic of letting different places draw out different aspects of your identity

✨ Why business class travel isn't a luxury—it's a retirement planning essential

About Mandy

Amanda Rootsey is a teen mentor, author of Shine From Within, and the founder of a global youth mentor training program that has reached 30+ countries. After surviving stage 4 cancer in her mid-twenties, Mandy created a business dedicated to helping teens feel heard, supported, and empowered. She now runs her entire business online while traveling the world full-time with her hpartner Davey, proving that you can build massive impact with gentle, sustainable business practices.

📚 Book: Shine From Within by Mandy Routsey📚 Book: Susan Branch's England travel memoir (handwritten and illustrated)📚 Book: Retire Life Ready by James Wrigley🎙️ Podcast: Youth Mentor Podcast

Website: amandarootsey.com.auInstagram: @amandarootseySubstack: UntetheredTeen Program: Shine From Within Academy

#GentleBusiness #LocationIndependent #DigitalNomad #OnlineBusiness #TeenMentor #YouthMentorship #SustainableBusiness #AustralianBusinessWomen #WomenInBusiness #TravelAndWork #BusinessWhileTraveling #SlowBusiness #ConsciousEntrepreneur #MindfulBusiness #BusinessWithHeart #WorkLifeIntegration #RemoteWork #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessMastermind #AussieEntrepreneurs #SunshineCoastBusiness #BrisbaneBusiness #CancerSurvivor #SaturnReturn #IntentionalLiving #VeganTravel #BusinessClass #RetirementPlanning #OnlineAcademy #TeenGirls #Parenting #DigitalNomadLife #Laptoplifestyle

When two business buddies discover they were born in the same tiny Australian town (population 3,000!), you know the conversation is going to be gold. In this episode, I sit down with accountant-turned-money-coach Clare Wood for a hilarious and deeply practical chat about profit, weekly money dates, and why being the "head Nicole" in your friend group might be costing you more than you think.

Clare shares how she went from having panic attacks before speaking in public to confidently presenting on stage (handcuffs included!), and why she believes most creatives are playing ostrich with their business finances. We're getting real about profit margins, the "death box" every couple needs, and why spending an hour every Friday talking money with your partner is actually the sexiest thing you can do.

Fair warning: This episode contains references to ancestors dry-humping behind pubs, horny bridesmaid energy, and spreadsheet orgasms. You've been warned. 😉

Key Takeaways:

✨ Why looking away from your numbers won't make them better (and could land you in serious trouble with the tax office)

✨ The exact weekly and monthly money rituals that transformed Clare's business and personal finances

✨ How to overcome public speaking phobia through exposure therapy (spoiler: you just have to do it again and again)

✨ The "death box" or "fearless folder" system that could save your family thousands of dollars and immense stress

✨ Why your daily coffee isn't the problem - it's your mortgage rate and insurance policies

✨ How to start investing with just $10 a week

✨ The power of being intentional about profit instead of just chasing revenue

00:30 - How Clare and I discovered we're basically cousins

05:45 - The hilarious story of how Clare initially didn't want me on her podcast

12:20 - From panic attacks to confident speaker: Clare's public speaking journey

18:15 - The "head Nicole" phenomenon and why you need to stop organizing everything

24:30 - Why most business owners are making money but not profit

29:45 - The weekly money date ritual that changed everything

35:10 - Creating your "death box" - the morbid but essential folder every family needs

42:20 - How to make money meetings fun (yes, really!)

47:00 - Starting your wealth journey with just $10

Quotable moments:

"If you're running a business, you can't ignore your numbers. I've worked with business owners making over a million dollars a year who are literally not even making a profit."

"Don't get hung up on cutting back on your daily coffee. If you're not getting the best interest rate on your mortgage or you're paying too much insurance, you're literally losing way more than your cup of coffee."

"Everything that I've created in my life once seemed impossible. You just take one step forward, one step closer."

Homework

Set up a weekly money meeting for yourself. Make it enjoyable - go to your favourite café, light a candle, sit by the beach. Start with just 30 minutes reviewing your profit and loss, checking your bank balance, and planning ahead. Make it a ritual you actually look forward to.

About Clare Wood

Clare Wood is a CPA, money coach, and the author of Intentional Profit. She's on a mission to help business owners get comfortable with their numbers and build genuinely profitable businesses. Despite describing herself as a "dorky accountant," Clare brings infectious enthusiasm and practical wisdom to money conversations, making finance feel accessible and even fun.

Website: clarewood.comInstagram: @clare_wood_coachBook: Intentional Profit by Clare Wood

#MoneyMindset #ProfitFirst #BusinessFinance #AustralianBusinessWomen #OnlineBusiness #FinancialLiteracy #WomenInBusiness #MoneyCoach #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessProfitability #FinancialFreedom #MoneyGoals #AussieEntrepreneurs #CreativeBusiness #MoneyManagement #CashFlowManagement #WealthBuilding #CanberraBusiness #BusinessMastermind

After 20 years in business, I hit a wall. I was jaded, uninspired, planning to retire at 45, and spending 600 hours playing Stardew Valley to escape. Something had to change.

In this deeply personal episode, I share the transformative journey that brought me back to life - from resolving primitive reflexes that expanded my nervous system capacity, to discovering the healing power of forgiveness, to reclaiming the intuitive healer I'd lost along the way.

This isn't your typical business growth story. This is about doing the inner work that makes the outer work possible.

Bonus:

See Birthday Boy Shosta's Special Photo here!

What You'll Learn:

• [00:00:00] Introduction: Recognizing when you've lost your spark
• [00:10:00] The planning app addiction cycle and why control feels comforting
• [00:16:00] The turning point: Discouragement needs courage, disheartment needs heart
• [00:21:00] Why I kept a "dead to me" list—and how forgiveness changed everything
• [00:33:00] Breath work: Expanding nervous system capacity beyond just "doing less"
• [00:38:00] GAME CHANGER: Unresolved primitive reflexes and neurodivergence
• [00:50:00] Going from non-verbal after social events to doing 4-hour coaching calls
• [00:56:00] Re-remembering my intuitive, healer self after years of survival mode
• [01:06:00] The reality of postnatal depression and neurodivergent motherhood
• [01:13:00] Why self-care isn't selfish—it's how you fill your well
• [01:15:00] Healing from being trolled and removing the invisibility cloak
• [01:22:00] The shadow side of fame: When strangers feel entitled to abuse you
• [01:31:00] Learning to hold the duality: Success comes with blessings AND challenges
• [01:39:00] Embracing experiments over perfection in your business
• [01:44:00] Growing beyond black and white thinking (hardest lesson ever)
• [01:51:00] Being in right relationship with clients—no guru energy
• [01:56:00] The Persephone cycle: Descending to the underworld and rising again

Key Takeaways:

✨ Your nervous system capacity isn't fixed—you can actually expand it through breath work and resolving primitive reflexes (especially crucial for neurodivergent entrepreneurs)

✨ Forgiveness isn't about inviting people back into your life—it's about releasing the weight of grudges that armor your heart

✨ The inner work isn't separate from the outer work—unresolved trauma and limiting beliefs are the boulders blocking your business growth

✨ You can be magnetic AND polarizing—dimming your light to avoid criticism serves no one

Resources Mentioned:

• David Elliott's breath work meditations
• Dr. Sharon Williams, Chiropractor (Canberra) for primitive reflex work
• Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies
• Human Design (1-3 and 3-6 profiles)

If you're feeling burnt out, uninspired, or like you've lost your creative spark, this episode is your permission slip to do the deep inner work that changes everything.

#PodcastEpisode #InnerWork #Burnout #NeurodivergentEntrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #HealingJourney #PrimitiveReflexes #BreathWork #Forgiveness #OnlineBusiness #WomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #SelfDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #AutismInBusiness #ADHDEntrepreneur #NervousSystemHealing #TraumaHealing #BusinessCoaching #SpiritualEntrepreneur #CreativeEntrepreneur #BurnoutRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #SelfCare #Authenticity #Visibility #WomenEntrepreneurs #OnlineBusinessOwner #MindsetWork

Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review—it helps other women find these conversations when they need them most. Share this with someone who needs permission to prioritize their inner work. 💫

Not every season of business needs a coach—and some “must-hire” advice is straight-up nonsense. In this fiery, funny, double-blunt chat, Leonie and Tam unpack when coaching is actually worth it, the red flags to avoid, and smarter (often cheaper) alternatives that get real results—especially for neurodivergent, values-driven women running online businesses.

Who it’s for: Online business women who want strategic growth without guru-worship, bro marketing, or 70-hour weeks.

Top Takeaways

• “Should I hire a coach?” isn’t the first question. Start with: What problem am I solving right now? Accountability? Systems? Marketing? ADHD-friendly productivity?

• Pick by fit, not hype. Know your learning style (step-by-step system vs. options menu; strategy vs. energetics—or a blend).

• Cost ≠ ROI. A $50k package when you’re under $100k revenue is rarely wise. Do the math, not the mantra.

• Don’t stack mentors you can’t implement. Learning ≠ doing. Implementation wins.

• Vet for longevity, ethics, and lifestyle match. Can you (and do you want to) run your business the way they run theirs?

• Be a powerful mentee. Keep sovereignty. You own decisions, actions, and results.

Red Flags (Buyer Beware)

• Meteoric “8-figure in 2 years” with zero long-term track record.

• Follower spikes that smell like bots.

• Income claims without ad spend transparency.

• One-true-way formulas that punish deviation.

• Values misalignment (politics/ethics you can’t stomach).

• Hustle-glorification incompatible with your life, health, or spoons.

Smart Alternatives to Long Coaching Containers

• Body doubling/accountability rooms for execution.

• VIP Day / “Done in a Day” for systems or a 6-month plan.

• Low-stakes test drive: a book, short course, or workshop before going deep.

Timestamped Guide

• 00:00 — Welcome back! Why this episode might surprise you.

• 01:12 — The real first question: do you need a coach—or something else?

• 03:05 — Picking style: accountability buddy, productivity, ADHD, intuitive + strategy, or “menu of options.”

• 06:18 — Tam’s calendar kryptonite: when “just go do it” isn’t helpful (and what to ask for instead).

• 09:40 — Body doubling > procrastination: simple ways to get sh*t done.

• 11:02 — Spectrum check: manifest girlies ↔ pure strategy (and how to choose).

• 14:30 — VIP Days & Website-In-A-Day: fast, focused outcomes without a 6-month saga.

• 16:15 — Time cost reality: hours to watch, think, and implement—do you have them?

• 18:04 — Money talk: when big-ticket coaching is a bad investment.

• 20:32 — The “3 masterminds at once” myth—and why implementation capacity is the limiter.

• 23:10 — Sunk-cost honesty: permission to stop when the fit is wrong (and forgive yourself).

• 25:26 — Due diligence: longevity, follower audits, income claims, and ad spend.

• 28:05 — Vibe & values: try a low-cost offer first; check ethics before you commit.

• 30:48 — Lifestyle fit matters: rejecting 5:30am–10pm hustle culture (spoons, parenting, health).

• 33:12 — How to be a powerful mentee: sovereignty, responsibility, and doing the work.

• 35:20 — Don’t pedestal your coach: keep what works, discard the rest.

• 37:45 — The sales-page mistake: why a “video + buy button” flopped (missing funnel context).

• 40:11 — Balance inner vs outer work: keep learning to ~10–20% of your week.

• 42:05 — Right relationship as a coach: no gurus, no dependence—just partnership.

• 44:00 — Wrap + how to share your “good mentee” growth edges.

If this helped, rate 5★ and send it to a business bestie who’s coach-curious but hype-hunted. Got topic requests? Email [email protected].

#WomenInBusiness #OnlineBusiness #BusinessCoach #Mastermind #ADHDBusiness #NeurodivergentEntrepreneurs #Productivity #BodyDoubling #EthicalMarketing #FeministBusiness #ValuesBasedBusiness #SpoonieBusiness #CreativeEntrepreneur #AustralianBusiness #ImplementationOverInspiration

Join us as we unpack Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)—how it shows up in friendships, family, and work; why bright, empathetic, often neurodivergent women are prime targets; and what to do to protect your mental, emotional, and energetic safety. We demystify tactics like love bombing, intermittent reinforcement, and image management, and share practical next steps: clear boundaries, low/no contact, therapy, education, and safety-first planning. If you’re a woman i navigating confusing, drama-heavy dynamics, this episode is for you.

Timestamps

• 00:01 – Why this episode: How hearing others’ stories helped Leonie name narcissistic abuse.

• 02:00 – Leonie’s wake-up moment: “Google ‘selfish asshole’” → NPD checklist; instant clarity and exit.

• 04:30 – Patterns you might miss: Charisma, “spiritual genius,” pedestal dynamics, your confidence collapsing.

• 06:30 – Tam’s experience: High baseline stress, isolation, autoimmune flare, and “everyone else thinks they’re wonderful.”

• 09:40 – Classic tactics: Love bombing, attention withdrawal, intermittent rewards (why it’s addictive).

• 11:45 – The cyclone effect: Drama, serving their needs, why you start believing you’re the problem.

• 13:30 – Public angel, private harm: The benevolent narcissist and image management.

• 16:30 – The gaslight scripts: “You’re the only one I have issues with.” “You’ve always been troubled.”

• 18:30 – Sanity checks: Getting clinically assessed (twice!); how real friends/healthy bonds feel.

• 20:15 – ND women are targets: ASD/ADHD overlap vs NPD; the crucial difference is internal experience and harm.

• 24:30 – What NPD is (clinical frame): Grandiosity + low empathy; managed vs unmanaged behavior under stress.

• 26:50 – Your priority: You can’t fix them. Protect yourself; consider low/no contact; get support.

• 31:20 – Boundaries in practice: Conditional low contact; being the adult; conserving energy.

• 34:40 – “Selfish” smear: Why choosing yourself feels wrong—and why it’s necessary and not narcissistic.

• 39:10 – Resources that help: Education, therapy, crisis support; “Will I Ever Be Good Enough?” (Karyl McBride); Ask Izzy (AU); Lifeline.

• 41:45 – Closing: Awareness ≠ doom—awareness = immunity and choice.

Join global best-selling author Leonie Dawson and creativity coach Tamara Protassow as they share practical, compassionate strategies to grow your business during an economic downturn. You’ll learn how to replace “coasting” with real marketing, rebuild profit margins, set healthy prices, regulate your nervous system to make better decisions, and protect future you with retirement contributions. Perfect for women entrepreneurs who want resilient, values-aligned growth—without burnout.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Why this matters now: Selling feels harder; downturns are normal in business cycles.

• 02:30 – Seasons analogy: Harvest vs. fallow; post-COVID cash surge and the inevitable reset.

• 05:00 – Coasting vs. marketing: When foot traffic dries up, you need a list, newsletters, and consistent outreach.

• 07:30 – Skill stacking: Double down on marketing + copywriting (“Adweek Copywriting Handbook” shout-out); use Leonie’s Sales Star and Big Money, Big Impact.

• 11:00 – Competitor advantage: Many will pause or exit—your consistent skills + nurture engine become your edge.

• 13:00 – Shame + survival brain: Money threat triggers dysregulation; use breathwork, nature, therapy, screen-free time to think clearly.

• 17:30 – Boundaries with media/doomscrolling: Reclaim attention; act where you have control.

• 20:00 – “New normal” myth: Revenue isn’t a straight line—expect bursts and plateaus; design for resilience, not ego.

• 24:00 – Profit first: Audit expenses, simplify ops, cut low-margin offers, raise prices when capacity or costs demand it.

• 28:00 – Cash runway: In upturns, build savings for payroll, tax, and ops; keep marketing while the sun shines.

• 31:00 – Retirement (superannuation): Even as a sole trader, contribute regularly; small amounts compound over time.

• 35:00 – Closing: We’re built for this—skill up, regulate, and take the next right action.

If this helped, follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review—it helps this work reach more creative women who refuse to be average.Ready to get practical? Do one thing today:

1. send a value-packed email to your list, or
2. review your pricing & profit margins, or
3. set up/boost your retirement contribution (future-you says thanks).

Want more step-by-steps? Explore Sales Star and Big Money, Big Impact inside the Academy at leoniedawson.com/academy—then tell me what you actioned this week.

In this candid and sticky episode, award-winning Australian entrepreneur Leonie Dawson and her longtime friend and co-worker Tamara Protassow dive into the messy, magical, and sometimes disastrous topic of hiring friends or family in your business.

With warmth, wit, and brutal honesty, they unpack personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and emotional truths about power dynamics, communication breakdowns, and the rare circumstances where it can actually work.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Leonie sets the scene and introduces the question that divides entrepreneurs: should you ever hire your friends or family?

• 01:00 – Meet Tam: Tam shares her journey as a creativity coach and long-time collaborator in Leonie’s world.

• 03:00 – How Leonie & Tam met: The fateful tea meetup that led to years of collaboration (and some chaotic planner adventures).

• 07:00 – The Big Question: “Should you hire friends or family?” Leonie’s immediate and emphatic answer: “Absolutely not.”

• 09:00 – When it all goes wrong: Leonie shares stories of heartbreak, lost friendships, and the painful lessons that followed.

• 10:30 – Why it fails: The duo explores misaligned expectations, power dynamics, blurred boundaries, and emotional baggage.

• 17:00 – Tam’s insider view: How Tam separates roles, keeps boundaries clean, and treats employment as a privilege rather than a power play.

• 22:00 – How Leonie makes it work now: Clear communication, explicit agreements, and exit plans keep friendships intact.

• 26:00 – The emotional cost: Why mixing love, money, and work can trigger every wound you’ve ever had.

• 30:00 – The rare exceptions: Brene Brown and Denise Duffield-Thomas—proof it can work, but only with deep self-awareness and constant effort.

• 34:00 – Closing reflections: Leonie’s gratitude for the lessons learned and the friendships that survived the fire.

Loved this episode?

If you’re a creative woman building a business that feels good — and want more real, no-BS conversations about boundaries, leadership, and soulful success — make sure you hit follow/subscribe wherever you listen.

Share this episode with a biz friend who’s considering hiring her bestie (save her the heartbreak!), and leave us a 5-star review — it helps us reach more wild-hearted entrepreneurs just like you.

For more behind-the-scenes and business wisdom, visit www.leoniedawson.com 💖

Join me & Daire Paddy as we deep dive into what we've read and watched, loved and tolerated over the last month! SUCH FUN! It's like Booktok... but Book...pod?

Go stalk Daire over at:

https://dairepaddy.com/

Meet my brilliant and magical friend Katie Chappell.

She's an illustrator who has created a 7 figure creative business... completely obliterating the Starving Artist Myth.

Learn how she got started and kept going and growing.

You'll also discover:

• why Katie and I like to discuss bowel movements in escalators
• where I rank in her friendship scale
• and other things that have nothing to do with me.

You can find Katie's cool shiz here:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/katiedraws⁠

⁠https://www.katiechappell.com/⁠

⁠https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/