Welcome to The Joyful Rebellion!

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

🧪What's New In the Lab

Have you heard of Amplify Women Tampa Bay? They are bringing women together to share knowledge, exchange resources, build meaningful connections, and inspire growth.

Last month, I was honored to be the featured guest at their monthly Under the Sun Chat, an intimate, in-person gathering designed to spark genuine dialogue, meaningful connections, and fresh perspectives.

What did I talk about? Boundaries and self-care, of course!

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✍🏽 The Better Boundaries Brief

Why Workplace Wellness Programs Fail (And What Actually Works)

You can’t meditate your way out of a poorly designed workplace.
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In the latest edition of the Better Boundaries Brief, I explore why many workplace wellness programs fall short and what is actually needed to improve employee well-being.
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The short version:
• Programs often focus on changing individual behavior
• But burnout is usually driven by organizational systems
• And the most effective solutions address workload, leadership, and workplace culture
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Read Now

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🎧 Work Is Third: Podcast Spotlight

Look Through the Turn | Small Wins, Big Healing & the Power of Celebration With Paula Thomas

What if progress didn’t have to look impressive to count?

In this episode of Work Is Third, I sit down with founder and storyteller Paula Thomas to explore what it means to rebuild after loss, and how small wins can change everything.

After navigating depression and anxiety, and later, an ADHD and autism diagnosis, building a career in tech, and then losing her husband unexpectedly, Paula was forced to redefine everything: her identity, her work, and what success really means. Along the way, she discovered that small, intentional progress is often the most powerful kind.

This conversation is a real treat and a reminder of the power of celebrating small wins.

Listen Now

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📊Data That Matters

Only 24% of employees strongly agree that their organization cares about their overall wellbeing, a significant decline since 2020.

Why this matters

As this Gallup article notes, concerns about employee mental health have broadened discussions on employers’ roles in supporting employee wellbeing. But many employers fail to institute meaningful supports and resources that bake wellness into their operations.

However, when employees strongly agree their organization cares about their wellbeing, they are:

• 4.4 times as likely to be engaged at work
• 73% less likely to feel burned out at work very often or always
• 50% more likely to be thriving in life

Link: Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Wellbeing Falters​

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💬Quote of the Week

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📓 Journal Prompt

Where in my life am I trying to solve a systemic problem with personal effort alone? What small change could make my wellbeing more sustainable?

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🌞 Affirmation of the Week

My wellbeing is not a luxury or a reward for working harder. It is a foundation I am allowed to build, protect, and strengthen.

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💫 Closing Reflection

Real wellbeing grows quietly through small shifts: a boundary that protects your time, a leader who listens differently, a workplace that chooses people over performance theater, or a conversation that reminds you that you’re not alone.

Those small shifts matter. They change how we experience our days, how we show up for others, and what becomes possible over time.

And sometimes the most powerful step forward is simply noticing what is not working, celebrating the progress you are making, and choosing the next small step anyway.

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.
👉 Book a call and let’s build something better together.

Book a Discovery Call