On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker sits down with financial advisor Ian Barnett for a grounded, honest and deeply human conversation about what it really means to live – and lead – with intentional joy.

From a high-pressure engineering career to building a purpose-driven financial practice, he shares how redefining success around family, service, and fulfillment transformed not just his work, but how he shows up in life.

At the center of this conversation is a powerful shift.

Joy isn’t something you earn after success.  It’s something you choose first.

Together, Greg and Ian explore what happens when you stop chasing outcomes… and start aligning your life with what actually matters.

In this episode, we explore:

•  How redefining success can completely change your life trajectory

•  The emotional weight of financial stress – and how to move through it

•  Why discipline and structure can actually create more freedom and joy

•  The importance of presence – especially with the people who matter most

But beyond money, this episode is about something deeper.

It’s about ownership.

It’s about values.

It’s about choosing how you live – on purpose.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to create meaningful change in your life, this conversation will meet you where you are… and challenge you to take your next step forward.

Because at the end of the day, as Ian reminds us:

No one else is responsible for your joy – you have to choose it.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to Joy Squared

00:01:41 Meet Ian Barnett / Engineering to Financial Advisor

00:07:59 The Power of Retreats & Stillness

00:09:08 Family First & Helping Clients Transform Their Lives

00:10:30 Real Client Transformation Stories

00:14:25 Discipline, Planning & Execution

00:17:00 Becoming Their Financial Partner, Not Boss

00:21:30 Celebrating Life-Changing Milestones

00:24:13 Lifting Others Through Energy & Perspective

00:27:30 Reducing Stress Through Structure

00:29:04 Leading with Joy Daily

00:33:11 Presence Over Productivity

00:35:52 Fatherhood & Life’s Most Meaningful Moments

00:40:06 Two Truths & A Lie

00:44:56 You Are Responsible for Your Joy

00:47:00 Where to Connect with Ian

00:50:04 Joy is Contagious – Create It & Share It

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to stay connected and subscribe to the "JOY² – Live With Joy" Podcast so you never miss a conversation designed to help you live, work and lead with more joy – intentionally.

Connect with Greg De Koker

Website: www.joy2.ca

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gregdekoker/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/greg_de_koker/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/greg.koker.5/

Connect with Ian Barnett

Website: www.imbfinancial.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ian-m-barnett/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ian_m_barnett/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Barnett.Ian.M

Listen and Subscribe to JOY²: 

Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-live-with-joy-podcast/id1886910363

Spotify: creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joy-squared-podcast

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JOY2LiveWithJoyPodcast

Stay Connected to JOY²:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/joysquaredofficial/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/joysquaredofficial/

Take Action

Take a moment to reflect on where you’ve been treating joy as something to “get to later.” Where are you waiting for the promotion, the financial milestone, or the perfect moment?

Now flip the question: what would it look like to lead with joy today, exactly where you are?

Choose one small shift. One decision. One action that aligns more closely with the life you actually want to live and take it.

Action Tip

Create a simple “Joy Filter” for your decisions this week. Before saying yes to something, ask:• Does this align with what matters most to me?• Will this move me toward the life I want or away from it?• Can I show up to this with energy, presence, and intention?

If the answer is no, pause.
Joy isn’t found in doing more - it’s found in choosing better.