Dream Life Club with Sumi Krishnan
Episode: 5 Things Helping Me Stay Grounded, Inspired and Creative During These Chaotic Times!
Date: January 16, 2026
Overview: Creating in Chaos
In this episode, Sumi Krishnan speaks directly to the turbulence of the present moment—political unrest, ICE raids in Minnesota, and a general sense of societal chaos—and offers concrete strategies for creative women (and all listeners) to stay grounded, inspired, and productive. Sumi blends personal insight with actionable tips, emphasizing that creativity is not just a form of escape but a vital tool for resistance and hope. The episode is part encouragement, part call-to-action.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Acknowledging the Moment & Naming the Chaos
-
Sumi opens by acknowledging the emotional weight of current events, particularly the ICE raids in Minnesota and the crackdown on protestors, calling this “a critical moment for our freedoms, for our human rights.”
- Key Quote:
“It's crazy what they're doing there, and it's completely un-American, and we need to do something about it.” (01:00)
- Key Quote:
-
She challenges white listeners in particular to step up in this fight for justice.
-
The show itself is being “rebranded” around the theme of "Creating in Chaos," stressing the balance between engagement with the world and creative output.
2. Five Practices Keeping Sumi Grounded & Creative
A. Limiting Social Media Consumption
-
Sumi strongly advocates for setting boundaries around news and social media to avoid overwhelm and burnout.
- She uses the Opal app to lock herself out of Instagram and urges listeners to carve out specific times for news/social feeds.
- Key Quote:
“They want us overwhelmed, exhausted, and unable to do anything, right? We have got to take care of our mental health.” (08:10)
-
She encourages following only a small number of trustworthy journalists (specifically recommends Heather Cox Richardson for context and grounded analysis).
Timestamps:
- Advice on limiting social media (07:00–09:30)
- Specific recommendations for news sources (10:00–11:00)
B. Prioritizing Physical Fitness
-
Sumi emphasizes the link between moving your body and mental health, sharing her own reliance on intense workouts and gymnastics.
- Key Quote:
“Walks are freaking transformative. Start there. Like, they will really, really help.” (12:30)
- Key Quote:
-
She’s working out five days a week and encourages listeners to at least commit to daily walks if a full fitness routine feels overwhelming.
Timestamps:
- Insights on fitness and mental resilience (12:00–14:15)
C. Taking Strategic Political & Community Action
-
She stresses the importance of translating outrage into concrete action:
- Following activists like Brian Derek for actionable strategies (e.g., flipping Congress, influencing policy).
- Calling senators/congresspeople, participating in boycotts (notably, how public boycott led Spotify to drop ICE recruitment ads).
- Joining local groups like Indivisible to find community and coordinated ways to act.
- Key Quote:
“Public pressure really works… money talks, right? So participate in boycotts when you can.” (15:50)
Timestamps:
- Political/civic action tips (15:00–18:30)
D. Creating Every Day—Before Consuming
-
Sumi returns to her core mantra: “Create before you consume.”
- She describes how shifting from passive consumption to active creation transformed her mindset since 2018.
- Gives examples, including scheduling creative time for physical play (e.g., her gymnastics coach using gym play as creative time).
- Emphasizes that creativity can look like many things—not just art-making but any form of personal expression and play.
- Notable Moment:
“Create before you consume. It actually was life changing for me… just sometimes, you know, certain phrases just stick with you. And that was one of them.” (20:40)
Timestamps:
- The mantra, its meaning, and everyday application (18:45–22:30)
E. Selective Engagement & Self-Compassion
-
Sumi responds to criticism that she isn’t speaking about every crisis, explaining the need for boundaries:
“There's so much trauma to go around, I literally cannot speak up about everything, otherwise I would, like, die of anxiety.” (22:50)
- Instead, she urges listeners to focus primarily on local and national injustices where their voices and actions have the most impact, especially regarding threats to American civil liberties.
Timestamps:
- Discussion of selective focus and boundaries (22:30–25:10)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On creating amid chaos:
“There's no world in which we can go on and create our businesses and create our projects and... be writers and be thinkers and be leaders without tapping into what's going on right now. But we have to do it smart and we have to do it strategically.” (26:10)
-
On the need for everyone's contributions:
“We need you to step into your full potential as good, thoughtful human beings. Right? On the other end of this podcast conversation... you and your specific talent, creativity, ideas, genius is needed in the world, like, now more than ever.” (28:30)
-
On hope and perseverance:
“If you can do those four things, I think you'll be able to be much more powerful. You'll be more effective. You'll be the leader that we all need you to be in this moment. Like, we need you.” (28:00)
Actionable Takeaways & Resources (Timestamps)
-
Limit Social Media & News Consumption:
- Use tools like Opal (08:30)
- Follow select informed sources, e.g., Heather Cox Richardson (10:15)
-
Move Your Body:
- Prioritize and recommit to fitness routines, even if starting small (12:35)
-
Engage in Civic Action:
- Follow Brian Derek, Ben Sheehan, Elizabeth McLaughlin for guidance (16:25, 34:00)
- Join Indivisible or similar community groups (17:00)
- Participate in boycotts, call representatives (15:40–17:50)
-
Create Before You Consume:
- Make creation a daily practice (20:40)
- Adopt “create before you consume” as a motto (20:55)
-
Boundary Setting:
- Allow yourself not to respond to every crisis (22:45)
Closing & Call to Action
Sumi closes with love and encouragement, reiterating the need for collective creative action and presence in these times:
“Keep creating amid chaos and we will get through this. But we need your voice. We need your voice in this moment… I love you. I love your art. We need your art.” (32:30)
Quick Reference of Recommended People & Resources
- Heather Cox Richardson – historian/news context
- Brian Derek – political action, flipping Congress
- Ben Sheehan – constitutional guidance, actionable steps
- Elizabeth McLaughlin – activism/engagement
- Indivisible – local action groups
- Opal app – healthy social media habits
For Women Dreamers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs:
Sumi’s message is clear—your art, voice, and leadership are vital. Use these tools to protect your energy and creativity, stay grounded, and keep fighting for the world you want to see.