Internationally best-selling author and creator of an 8 figure creative company Leonie Dawson (dat's me!) brings her ridiculous sense of humour and wild oversharing to the podcast world! What is this podcast about? Who f*cking knows! It's all a glorious mystery! But it will likely be a delicious buffet of self help, business, creativity, marketing, family and life... and I might just introduce you to some of my favourite people if I'm called. Mostly, I'm just here to create and share... and hope that it touches your heart in just the way it needs. (Pronouns: She/They)
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.Timestamps00:00 – 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:send a value-packed email to your list, orreview your pricing & profit margins, orset 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 escalatorswhere I rank in her friendship scaleand other things that have nothing to do with me.You can find Katie's cool shiz here:https://www.instagram.com/katiedrawshttps://www.katiechappell.com/https://www.thegoodshipillustration.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 escalatorswhere I rank in her friendship scaleand other things that have nothing to do with me.You can find Katie's cool shiz here:https://www.instagram.com/katiedrawshttps://www.katiechappell.com/https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/
A profound meditation I taught clients to help them connect with the spirit of their business & find out what their next right steps are...
Palms and back sweaty, I offer you one of my most vulnerable shares yet. My keynote speech at the 2025 Ausmumpreneur National Conference.What if your business isn't just a hustle… but the greatest spiritual quest of your life?
My journey speaking at Ausmumpreneur National Conference... and all the tears shed along the way.
Let's do an intensive deep dive into my June launch month... exactly what I did, offered, how much I earned & what I learned along the way!Get all the ep details:https://www.leoniedawson.com/211ep
I've been on a deep healing journey... here's all the juicy goss how.
All the details and gossip from the peer mastermind retreat I just went to on the Gold Coast with 11 of my biz besties!To check out the photos and grab the free DIY Retreat workbook, head to www.leoniedawson.com/209Find out more about my upcoming Momentum Mastermind at www.leoniedawson.com/momentum
My treasures,Do I have a juicy, magic-filled episode for you today! Recently, I ran a free hour-long masterclass called Creative Magic—and as part of it, I guided gorgeous souls through a 15-minute meditation to connect with their creative spirit. And let me tell you… it was potent. So potent, in fact, that I just had to share it with you here on the poddy! Yayyyyy!May it be of HUGE service to you and your creative journey. Plus, I've been in a total creation frenzy lately, making ALL THE THINGS, and I can't wait to tell you more. But first, let's dive in!https://leoniedawson.com/creative-magic-meditation
My brilliant dreamers,I have something extra potent for you today! Back in January, I ran a free 3-day masterclass called 2025 Dream Quest—and let me tell you, it was an absolute powerhouse of clarity, intention, and creative fire
Join Leonie as she takes you on the journey of 1600km across Australia to move her family back to Canberra.Find all the photos at:www.leoniedawson.com/roadtrip25
Free workshop from award-winning entrepreneur, Leonie Dawson! Imposter Syndrome and Systemic Oppression How to overcome imposter syndrome The impact of learning from diverse voices "Mediocre White Man Mentality" Crystal Clear Communication and Making Connections Selling with integrity and heart Building Relationships and Collaborations Selling from the Heart and the Brown Paper Envelope Analogy Importance of Copywriting in Marketing Benefits of Brilliant Biz and Life Academy Having a Global Audience and Implementing Learning The importance of implementing what is learned Building Supportive Relationships in Leonie's Community
Free workshop from award-winning entrepreneur, Leonie Dawson! Imposter Syndrome and Systemic Oppression How to overcome imposter syndrome The impact of learning from diverse voices "Mediocre White Man Mentality" Crystal Clear Communication and Making Connections Selling with integrity and heart Building Relationships and Collaborations Selling from the Heart and the Brown Paper Envelope Analogy Importance of Copywriting in Marketing Benefits of Brilliant Biz and Life Academy Having a Global Audience and Implementing Learning The importance of implementing what is learned Building Supportive Relationships in Leonie's Community
Join me as I recap my deeply transformative experience at the Heart Centred Business Conference.
My loves, Today, I want to share with you a message from the angels, as I hear them. Take a deep breath and enjoy.
Q&A With A Self-Made Multi-Millionaire Creative! Here are the links mentioned: https://tinyurl.com/inspirationleonie - freebie library sign up https://ldi-academy.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/homeschooling/Homeschooling+-+Leonie+Dawson.pdf - homeschooling ebook (now also in freebie library) https://leoniedawson.com/notes-on-becoming-a-homeschooling-mama/ https://leoniedawson.com/how-do-i-homeschool-run-businesses-at-the-same-time/ https://leoniedawson.com/corona-homeschooling/ https://leoniedawson.com/how-i-record-keep-for-homeschooling/
Q&A With A Self-Made Multi-Millionaire Creative! Here are the links mentioned: https://tinyurl.com/inspirationleonie - freebie library sign up https://ldi-academy.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/homeschooling/Homeschooling+-+Leonie+Dawson.pdf - homeschooling ebook (now also in freebie library) https://leoniedawson.com/notes-on-becoming-a-homeschooling-mama/ https://leoniedawson.com/how-do-i-homeschool-run-businesses-at-the-same-time/ https://leoniedawson.com/corona-homeschooling/ https://leoniedawson.com/how-i-record-keep-for-homeschooling/
Treasures, My darlin' co-host Madi Beaufort is off gallivanting in the US, living her best life, and I'm over here missing her like crazy! But fear not, my loves, because I've got something super special for you!
Treasures, My darlin' co-host Madi Beaufort is off gallivanting in the US, living her best life, and I'm over here missing her like crazy! But fear not, my loves, because I've got something super special for you!
Hi, babes! On this episode, I am out of the studio and behind the wheel, talking shit (just like old times!). Join me as a drive up the mountains of the Sunshine Coast to meet my dear friend, Tash Corbin. I've got life & biz updates on the 'ol brain and I have to share it with you.
My love doves, In a world where the economy feels like it's riding a unicycle on a tightrope, knowing how to grow your biz during economic downturns is more important than ever! Let's face it, these times are unpredictable, but that doesn't mean your business has to suffer! You get to thrive, even when things look uncertain. That's why my right-hand girl and favorite goblin assistant, Zita, and I are diving into: How To Grow Your Biz Even During Economic Downturns! Preview: Leonie's Strategies for Navigating Economic Downturns How to Embrace Resilience and Opportunity Leveraging Ancestral Wisdom to Navigate Economic Downturns Leonie's Strategies for Financial Improvement Leonie's Strategies for Reducing Expenses and Increasing Income Glorious Opportunities and Strategies for Business Growth How to Maximize Business Profitability and Growth Strategies Exploring Side Hustle Ideas and Business Marketing Strategies Sharing Success and Inspiring Others A Sneak Peak at Academy Programs Academy Membership Benefits and Workshops Guest Expert Workshops and Academy Offerings Gratitude and Sharing Excitement Watch, Listen, or read the full episode here: https://leoniedawson.com/biz-growth-during-economic-downturns
My love doves, In a world where the economy feels like it's riding a unicycle on a tightrope, knowing how to grow your biz during economic downturns is more important than ever! Let's face it, these times are unpredictable, but that doesn't mean your business has to suffer! You get to thrive, even when things look uncertain. That's why my right-hand girl and favorite goblin assistant, Zita, and I are diving into: How To Grow Your Biz Even During Economic Downturns! Preview: Leonie's Strategies for Navigating Economic Downturns How to Embrace Resilience and Opportunity Leveraging Ancestral Wisdom to Navigate Economic Downturns Leonie's Strategies for Financial Improvement Leonie's Strategies for Reducing Expenses and Increasing Income Glorious Opportunities and Strategies for Business Growth How to Maximize Business Profitability and Growth Strategies Exploring Side Hustle Ideas and Business Marketing Strategies Sharing Success and Inspiring Others A Sneak Peak at Academy Programs Academy Membership Benefits and Workshops Guest Expert Workshops and Academy Offerings Gratitude and Sharing Excitement Watch, Listen, or read the full episode here: https://leoniedawson.com/biz-growth-during-economic-downturns
Gorgeous friends! Holy fuck! Can you believe we're halfway through 2024?! Before you know it, we'll all be running around in ridiculously genius Halloween costumes (I'm considering a Bridgerton-inspired look……or, maybe a flamingo. DECISIONS, DECISIONS!!!). You won't have to wait that long to see a ridiculously genius getup from me. I just released a NEW podcast episode today! YAY! Of course, I HAD to sport a ginormous rainbow squid hat. Me and my delectable strawberry-hat wearing co-host, Madi Beaufort chatted it up about our fabulous 2024 GOALS!!! We dive into some of our favorite stories and projects and I spill the beans about my plans for the rest of this year: Workplace personality and fun activities Leonie's time as a government employee and the birth of a unique newsletter. Hugging competitions and why personality is everything in a team. Caring for a high-needs dog and surviving a tough year. Why Leonie swear by Pilates over yoga due to hypermobility. Aiming for $1.5 million revenue while balancing family life. Business goals, personal priorities, and creating an academy for entrepreneurs Academy Goodies -- Over 100 workshops and a digital co-working space for entrepreneurs. Therapy and coaching preferences for personal growth and business expansion. Leonie's for kinesiology and intuitive healing for neurodivergent minds. Travel plans, personal growth, and funny stories. Sending a package to Halle Berry Leonie's big girl goal to take a holiday more than 30 minutes from home this year. Wildlife facts and experiences. Fascinating facts about hippos. Watch, listen, or read this fun episode HERE.
Gorgeous friends! Holy fuck! Can you believe we're halfway through 2024?! Before you know it, we'll all be running around in ridiculously genius Halloween costumes (I'm considering a Bridgerton-inspired look……or, maybe a flamingo. DECISIONS, DECISIONS!!!). You won't have to wait that long to see a ridiculously genius getup from me. I just released a NEW podcast episode today! YAY! Of course, I HAD to sport a ginormous rainbow squid hat. Me and my delectable strawberry-hat wearing co-host, Madi Beaufort chatted it up about our fabulous 2024 GOALS!!! We dive into some of our favorite stories and projects and I spill the beans about my plans for the rest of this year: Workplace personality and fun activities Leonie's time as a government employee and the birth of a unique newsletter. Hugging competitions and why personality is everything in a team. Caring for a high-needs dog and surviving a tough year. Why Leonie swear by Pilates over yoga due to hypermobility. Aiming for $1.5 million revenue while balancing family life. Business goals, personal priorities, and creating an academy for entrepreneurs Academy Goodies -- Over 100 workshops and a digital co-working space for entrepreneurs. Therapy and coaching preferences for personal growth and business expansion. Leonie's for kinesiology and intuitive healing for neurodivergent minds. Travel plans, personal growth, and funny stories. Sending a package to Halle Berry Leonie's big girl goal to take a holiday more than 30 minutes from home this year. Wildlife facts and experiences. Fascinating facts about hippos. Watch, listen, or read this fun episode HERE.
Diary-style. Just you and me. What I'm thinking and feeling... and what might be next for us.
Diary-style. Just you and me. What I'm thinking and feeling... and what might be next for us.
Hey possum blossums, I'm absolutely buzzing with excitement to share the latest episode of Leonie Dawson Refuses to Be Categorised podcast with you! This one is especially close to my heart as I dive deep into what it's like to navigate the world of business with a neurodivergent brain. Yes, we're talking all things ADHD and autism, and how they can be both a challenge and a superpower in biz & life. Of course I'm joined by my darling co-host, Madi Beaufort. Grab you headphones, babes. This episode is NOT for kiddo ears!And **TRIGGER WARNING: If you've got alien phobia (like me and Madi), tentacle phobia, or you're not interested in hearing about outerworldly sex toys, skip ahead to minute 7!!! In the rest of this episode, we chat about:
Hey possum blossums, I'm absolutely buzzing with excitement to share the latest episode of Leonie Dawson Refuses to Be Categorised podcast with you! This one is especially close to my heart as I dive deep into what it's like to navigate the world of business with a neurodivergent brain. Yes, we're talking all things ADHD and autism, and how they can be both a challenge and a superpower in biz & life. Of course I'm joined by my darling co-host, Madi Beaufort. Grab you headphones, babes. This episode is NOT for kiddo ears!And **TRIGGER WARNING: If you've got alien phobia (like me and Madi), tentacle phobia, or you're not interested in hearing about outerworldly sex toys, skip ahead to minute 7!!! In the rest of this episode, we chat about:
Super short ep today... need to tell you something important I'm doing for the next couple of weeks only! Check it out at www.leoniedawson.com/academy
Possum blossoms, We have a fun Q&A episode of Leonie Refuses to Be Categorised Podcast today! Yay! My goddess co-host & mate Madi Beaufort brought a brilliant list of questions for me to answer. This called for a fancy glass of kombucha (smoothies are SO first episode
Possum blossoms, We have a fun Q&A episode of Leonie Refuses to Be Categorised Podcast today! Yay! My goddess co-host & mate Madi Beaufort brought a brilliant list of questions for me to answer. This called for a fancy glass of kombucha (smoothies are SO first episode
Today, me and my darlingest co-host Madi Beaufort kicked off the episode with a very very professional jam sesh (Madi got the moves!
Today, me and my darlingest co-host Madi Beaufort kicked off the episode with a very very professional jam sesh (Madi got the moves!
Pooky bears, Today, I share my origin story. Who was Leonie before the successful multimillion dollar business? Before the blog? Before I was a Dawson with a gorgeous hubby and two incredible mermaid daughters? Before the ADHD/ASD diagnosis? Origin Story and Heartwarming Moments 0:03 Mother Gail and Mrs. Gail (Being trolled) 3:50 My small town childhood and family 5:44 Family Inbreeding 8:15 Personal Journey and Career Aspirations 9:46 Childhood Ambitions and Relationships 12:36 My career goals in art Adventures with Boarding School 16:18 Decision to Pursue Business My Life Journey 20:09 Leonie's Childhood and Family Dynamics Meeting and Falling in Love with Chris A Dawson Love Story 28:50 Career Journey and Political Experiences 32:48 Working in Parliament House Prime Minister goals Watch, read, or listen to this episode here: https://leoniedawson.com/my-origin-story
Welcome to a new era of my podcast: Leonie Dawson Refuses to Be Categorised!!! *cues the confetti* To kick off this season, I'm joined by my dearest friend and extraordinary artist, Madison (Madi) Beaufort.Get ready for swoony friendship stories, cowgirl noises, epic singing, and sharing the biggest mistakes I've ever made.*SPOILER ALERT* My first mistake of the season happens on this episode! You're in for a wild ride, babes! Introducing a New Era of the Podcast 0:00 New season and format of the podcast Madi and Leonie: a friendship love story 2:42 Mongolia and a Long Way Home 4:53 Shared Dreams 5:45 Leonie, the cowgirl 6:04 Learning from Mentors 7:05 Age gaps 7:06 Business mentoring 9:36 Leonie's Biggest Mistakes 10:49 $100,000 in missing revenue 11:00 The public book review 12:01 The smoothie incident 15:09 https://leoniedawson.com/a-new-era
A fun free workshop on exactly how I've made a motza selling online courses online!
Join Zeets and I in a fun Webinar to Podcast Episode! Workshop Introduction and Sales Philosophy0:02 Selling from the heart Importance of Self-Care and Sustainable Business Practices4:55 Mindset and Motivation12:48 Overcoming mindset blocks in sales Effective Marketing Strategy16:24 Sharing Your Gifts with the World19:52 Empathy and Confidence in Sales and Business21:49 Empathy and understanding in sales and marketing The value of abundance and redirecting resources Importance of Marketing and Copywriting26:21 SalesStar Program and Life Academy Overview30:33 Importance of marketing and copywriting skills Guest Experts and Academy Feedback37:57
Join me for behind-the-scenes look at my finances! We got super in-depth during this live event. I go over some super good questions from attendees, and of course, my right-hand goblin Zita joins in for a beat as well. ENJOY! Leonie's Money Workshop Introduction0:00 Financial Literacy and Empowerment Business Structure and Money Management Lifestyle and Priorities8:21 Lifestyle and Work-Life Balance Diversifying Income Streams and Investments12:30 Investment Portfolio and Ethical Funds16:03 Understanding Managed Funds and Ethical Investing19:24 Retirement Goals and Financial Planning23:28 Retirement Goals and Philanthropy Personal Background and Aspirations26:57 Financial Planning and Company Structures29:15 Income Streams and Investments Charitable Donations and Support34:16 Overview of Money Management and Business Growth Resources37:53
You heard it here first. Middle aged first pash sesh spotted in the wild! https://leoniedawson.com/gossip-2/
It's been almost three years. Here's how I manage it and why I don't.
Why do they keep expecting me to come up for descriptions for these things? I talk shit. I press publish. That is all.
It's that time again!!! Me & my delightful part time assistant/full time troll Zita answered some of your burning questions about creating eCourses, marketing & publishing workbooks! Some of the topics we covered:
Me & my delightful part time assistant/full time troll Zita answered some of your burning questions about productivity, work routines, membership building, and delegation! Some of the questions we answered: ⏰ How do you make decisions on what tasks to work on and when to stop working on them?
Me & my wonderful part time assistant/full time troll Zita had a spontaneous livestream to share about five changes we've made this year in business that have been really helpful. We talked about: ➡️ our new weekly ritual which has been hugely helpful
No further details required obviously. She's a wonky donkey.
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