Welcome to the Go Big to Give Big Podcast with Randy Molland and Steve Arneson! In this episode of our podcast, we talk to Leesa McGregor, a social entrepreneur and author who is empowering the next generation and inspiring positive change.   Leesa shares her story of how she stumbled upon the idea to create a heart-based education for kids and start a movement. She explains how she felt unfulfilled in her twenties and began exploring sustainability, leading her to realize that she could use her marketing skillset to create systems change with an emphasis on education. Leesa talks about how she believes that emotional intelligence is the most important part of changing the world, as it helps people be connected to themselves and others, as well as honor nature and natural systems. She also details her mission now to get her book into the school system so that kids can learn about heart connection from an early age.   This conversation highlights the importance of aligning one's skills, talents, and capital with a vision to make the world a better place. It emphasizes the need for people to wake up to the reality of the capitalist system and its exploitation of people and resources. Leesa shares her own journey from believing she was not smart or successful enough to change the world to dedicating her work to making a difference. She encourages entrepreneurs to bake good into their business models from the start in order to have greater success.   Tune in as we explore how we can all make meaningful contributions to society while staying true to ourselves!   [00:00 - 06:14] Empowering the Next Generation and Inspiring Positive Change ·        Leesa McGregor is a social entrepreneur empowering the next generation and inspiring positive change ·        Experienced disillusionment in her twenties due to society's blueprint of success ·        Leesa had a spiritual crisis at age 30 and realized that societal expectations of success left her feeling unfulfilled. ·        Leesa began to question how she could make a meaningful difference in the world, leading to her social entrepreneurship.   [06:14 - 15:12] Leesa’s Journey of Heart-Based Education for Kids ·        Leesa McGregor, started working in the area of sustainability and renewable energy. ·        She then realized that her skillset in marketing could be used as a "vehicle for change" and began consulting for brands that wanted to make a difference. However, she found that many companies were only focused on making money, not making the world a better place. ·        After the birth of her son, she began writing in her journal about how to create systems change in education and positively impact future generations. ·        She had an "eureka moment" at the beach with her son, realizing that she should be teaching him about compassion, empathy, and gratitude instead of just the traditional ABCs. ·        From this realization, she created a "New Alphabet for Humanity" and wrote a children's book to teach these values.   [14:18 - 22:27] How We Can Change the World and Make It Better ·        Life is meant to change and pivot, and sometimes we have to learn to play with emotion and think logically. ·        Being able to trust your gut in making decisions is important. ·        Parents should set an example for their children by actively working to change the world themselves. ·        The education system is not designed to prepare individuals to change the world. ·        Parents should align their skills, talents, and capital with a vision of making the world a better place. ·        Simple actions such as planting a tree for every book sold and donating to children in need can be fulfilling and meaningful ways to contribute to positive change.   [22:27 - 30:10] Changing the Way Businesses are Run: Prioritizing Positive Impac