#40: Reactive vs. Responsive Leadership: How to Lead Your Business When the World Feels on Fire

In early 2026, showing up as a business owner has felt different. Living in the Twin Cities amid increased ICE presence, host Stephanie Malon-Rufi shares she has been grappling with a question many business owners are facing: How do we lead when the world feels on fire? In this episode, she unpacks the difference between reacting and responding — and why that distinction matters more than ever for entrepreneurs. She explores what happens in our brains when under pressure, how values anchor us in crisis, and what proactive CEO leadership actually looks like in real time. If you've been wondering how to stay grounded, visible, and aligned without burning everything down, this conversation is for you. www.sparkgood.net