Welcome to The Joyful Rebellion!

Because setting boundaries, resting well, and building healthier systems is radical.

🧪What's New In the Lab

Last week I got to be on the stage at 813 Tech Day and talk about something that is affecting all of us right now — AI and the Workforce: How to Stay Competitive.

My take? We can and should integrate AI tools in a way that prioritizes the human element. From analyzing outputs, to quality control, to bias mitigation, humans created the tools and humans have to be part of how they are deployed.

Our panel also identified gaps like who is getting left behind (seniors, women, and people without four-year degrees), who gets trained (usually leadership and management), and what's missing (governance!).

Brianna Cobb, a marketing and communications manager, caught a post-stage interview with me that I loved and want to share with you. 📽️ 813 Tech Day Interview​

If your organization is exploring AI implementation and governance and needs direction, book a conversation to see how The Dawn Lab can help.

✍🏽 The Better Boundaries Brief

This month's Better Boundaries Brief digs into something that everyone knows about but hesitates to talk about: the real cost of ageism at work.

Inspired by my 72 year old mother, who is still nursing after 47 years, this edition looks at what happens when experience is seen as an expiration date and not an asset, and what it costs organizations when that happens.

👉🏽 Older, Wiser, Pushed Out: The Real Cost of Ageism at Work​

🎧 Work Is Third: Podcast Spotlight

Identity Shifts Are Not for the Weak | Reinvention With Emily Adams

This week's episode of Work is Third is one I am proud of and loved listening to all over again (I edit every episode!).

Emily is the person who invited me to speak at 813 Tech Day, and getting to share her episode afterward feels like closing the loop. Emily left the Amish community at 17 with no plan, and built a career through Ford, GM, BMW, and tech before becoming Managing Parter at Gulf Works Lab.

One takeaway she shared: "The more that we collaborate, there's room and space for everybody to grow."

🎵 From the Work Is Third Soundtrack

This week's pick: "Unstoppable" by Sia

Do you ever feel like you have to fake 'til you make it? That you sometimes need to hype yourself up? Maybe need support from your people? This week's song is a reminder that we can find the power within us and don't need permission to use it. Hype yourself and surround yourself with people who support you.

Work is Third: The Soundtrac... Unstoppable • Sia PREVIEW   ​

📊Data That Matters

60% of people have experienced at least one subtle form of age discrimination at work. And it's not always obvious - a joke, quiet exclusion, assumptions about physical ability. Keeping with this issue's tech theme, it's surprising that 33% of people have had someone assume they're less tech-savvy because of their age.

When we think about AI adoption and the future of work, we can't make assumptions or leave people out.

Link: Age Discrimination Holds Steady Among Older Workers in 2025, AARP​

💬Quote of the Week

📓 Journal Prompt

What version of you got you here, and is it the version you still need?

Take 2 minutes and notice what surfaces for you.

🌞 Affirmation of the Week

Aging is powerful. I am always growing into the next best version of myself.

💫 Closing Reflection

If there's anything that really resonated with you in this issue, hit reply and let me know. I read all responses.

Remember, you don't need batteries to be unstoppable. You just need to keep showing up as yourself. Even in the age of AI, being you cannot be replaced.

With care and rebellion,
​Dawn ✨

🤝🏽Let’s Work Together

Ready to build systems that support better ways to live and lead?​
I partner with organizations to create the conditions for everyone to thrive, through education, training, skill building, strategic planning, and implementation.
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👉 Book a call and let’s build something better together.