Ever notice how the moment you let yourself truly want something, shame shows up like an uninvited guest? What feels like selfish desire might actually be your inner wisdom trying to guide you toward the life you're meant to live.

In this episode, Leona explores the "shame slough" – that murky, uncomfortable space between wanting something and actually pursuing it. You'll discover why vulnerability feels so gross, how shame uses the "who do you think you are?" message to keep us small, and the crucial difference between surviving in a straitjacket versus thriving in alignment with what truly matters.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Wanting what you want isn't as simple as it sounds

(01:35) Why "who do you think you are?" hits women extra hard

(02:13) When taking Fridays off becomes an act of courage

(04:21) Patterns that feel like solid ground become straitjackets

(06:21) What happens when shame drives shotgun with vulnerability

(08:34) Why permission is your bridge across the stinky slough

(11:25) How to notice thoughts as data, not danger

(12:40) The difference between "I am bad" and "I did something bad"

The JOY Journey

The JOY Journey is an online space for women ready to reconnect, reset, and grow – at your own pace or alongside a supportive community.

What you get:

• 10 emails each month with simple, research-backed tools
• Guided meditations, journalling prompts, and practical techniques
• Ongoing support designed to help changes actually stick
• Access to a dedicated app with all content anytime

Community option:

• Live sessions twice a month (1 hour)
• Reflect, write, and connect with others on the same path
• Fridays at 11:30 MT

If something in this episode resonated, this is your next step.

Get 30% off as a Finding Joy listener:

https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page 

Connect with Finding Joy:

Website: https://www.leonadevinne.com and https://devillepartners.com 

Subscribe for weekly emails: https://ghl.devillepartners.com/widget/form/Dvb9FUenar3xybDTFeww 

The JOY Journey https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyspot  

Finding Your Joy Spot Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991707583 

Registered dietitian Kristyn Hall reveals why midlife demands we abandon the calorie-counting games of our younger years and embrace a radically different approach to nourishment – one that prioritizes elevation over manipulation.

In this conversation, Kristyn introduces her two-bucket framework for supporting women through midlife nutrition challenges, from ending "calorie hoarding" to understanding why our bodies need more fuel, not less, during biological transitions. You'll discover why three consistent meals can stop the 3 p.m. craving wars and how to shift from nutritional math to nutritional grace.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:53) Why midlife bodies need nourishment for elevation, not manipulation

(04:46) How to end the calorie hoarding game that leaves you battling cravings

(08:15) Why fiber isn't just about pooping – it's about metabolic health

(11:13) The biggest mistake women make: trying to diet through biological transitions  

(15:29) How self-compassion becomes the foundation for sustainable change

(16:48) When intuitive eating works (and when it doesn't) in midlife

(20:53) What every woman on GLP-1s needs to know about nutrition

(24:11) Simple hydration truths that aren't about carrying gallon jugs

(27:42) The 60-second shift from food fear to body joy

The JOY Journey

The JOY Journey is an online space for women ready to reconnect, reset, and grow – at your own pace or alongside a supportive community.

What you get:

• 10 emails each month with simple, research-backed tools
• Guided meditations, journalling prompts, and practical techniques
• Ongoing support designed to help changes actually stick
• Access to a dedicated app with all content anytime

Community option:

• Live sessions twice a month (1 hour)
• Reflect, write, and connect with others on the same path
• Fridays at 11:30 MT

If something in this episode resonated, this is your next step.

Get 30% off as a Finding Joy listener:

https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page 

Connect with Finding Joy:

Website: https://www.leonadevinne.com and https://devillepartners.com 

Subscribe for weekly emails: https://ghl.devillepartners.com/widget/form/Dvb9FUenar3xybDTFeww 

The JOY Journey https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyspot  

Finding Your Joy Spot Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991707583 

What if everything racing through your mind right now – your endless to-do list, that low hum of urgency – doesn't actually matter as much as you think? Research shows that our dopamine-driven, checkbox mentality can become as addictive as a slot machine, keeping us productive but rarely fulfilled.

Arthur Brooks' groundbreaking happiness research reveals three pillars that create genuine meaning: coherence (why life unfolds as it does), purpose (why you're here), and significance (how you want to make a difference). When we shift from survival mode to intentional living, we discover that joy becomes both our North Star and compass.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:38) Why your current mental chatter might not matter as much as you think

(01:35) How our brains become addicted to the dopamine hit of to-do lists

(03:39) The life-changing shift from "to-do" to "to-be" thinking

(06:20) Arthur Brooks' three pillars of meaningful living

(07:58) Why having a framework for life's challenges protects mental health

(09:24) How joy becomes both your North Star and compass for authentic living

(12:17) Powerful questions to uncover your coherence, purpose, and significance

(13:52) The legacy-defining exercise of identifying your two core values

The JOY Journey

The JOY Journey is an online space for women ready to reconnect, reset, and grow – at your own pace or alongside a supportive community.

What you get:

• 10 emails each month with simple, research-backed tools
• Guided meditations, journalling prompts, and practical techniques
• Ongoing support designed to help changes actually stick
• Access to a dedicated app with all content anytime

Community option:

• Live sessions twice a month (1 hour)
• Reflect, write, and connect with others on the same path
• Fridays at 11:30 MT

If something in this episode resonated, this is your next step.

Get 30% off as a Finding Joy listener:

https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page 

Connect with Finding Joy:

Website: https://www.leonadevinne.com and https://devillepartners.com 

Subscribe for weekly emails: https://ghl.devillepartners.com/widget/form/Dvb9FUenar3xybDTFeww 

The JOY Journey https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyspot  

Finding Your Joy Spot Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991707583 

What happens when life forces you to completely reinvent yourself in your thirties? Leadership coach and former principal ballerina Kerrie Alanen discovered that losing everything she thought defined her was actually the key to finding who she really was.

In this thoughtful conversation, Kerrie shares her journey from the stage to the boardroom, revealing the research-backed practices that helped her transform a devastating career loss into authentic living. You’ll discover why being “unapologetically you” isn’t just feel-good advice; it’s supported by science at a cellular level, helping rewire your brain for long-term well-being.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Why losing your identity can become your greatest gift

(04:10) How success as a high performer nearly cost everything that mattered

(07:31) When a hip replacement becomes the doorway to authentic living

(11:40) Why the most resilient people ask this one powerful question about breaking points

(15:21) How to embrace being weird and wonderful without losing connection

(19:05) The “hot stove” moment: recognizing when your values are violated

(22:34) Simple practices that support rewiring your brain for joy (hint: it’s not complicated)

(26:21) What hugging teenage boys teaches us about savouring the good

(27:39) The cellular science behind being unapologetically you

Links mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Alanen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrie-alanen-27607417/ 

The JOY Journey

The JOY Journey is an online space for women ready to reconnect, reset, and grow – at your own pace or alongside a supportive community.

What you get:

• 10 emails each month with simple, research-backed tools
• Guided meditations, journalling prompts, and practical techniques
• Ongoing support designed to help changes actually stick
• Access to a dedicated app with all content anytime

Community option:

• Live sessions twice a month (1 hour)
• Reflect, write, and connect with others on the same path
• Fridays at 11:30 MT

If something in this episode resonated, this is your next step.

Get 30% off as a Finding Joy listener:

https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page 

Connect with Finding Joy:

Website: https://www.leonadevinne.com and https://devillepartners.com 

Subscribe for weekly emails: https://ghl.devillepartners.com/widget/form/Dvb9FUenar3xybDTFeww 

The JOY Journey https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyspot  

Finding Your Joy Spot Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991707583

Why do so many of us struggle to live authentically, even when we know who we are deep down? Leona deVinne reveals that finding joy isn't about positive thinking or life hacks – it's about doing the brave work of owning who you really are.

Through the JOY framework and three powerful personas, this episode provides a research-backed roadmap from clarity to confidence to courage. You'll discover why we choose belonging over authenticity and learn practical ways to stop living as "adult software running on childhood algorithms."

In this episode, we explore:

(00:38) Why authenticity is the bravest work we'll ever do

(01:23) How childhood attachment needs shape adult behavior 

(03:05) Why we choose belonging over being real

(05:33) Grace as the pathway to true self-clarity

(08:04) The five-minute writing practice for self-discovery

(10:23) How to practice self-compassion like a loving friend

(12:15) Why joy requires courage over comfort

(14:38) The 5% braver question that changes everything

The JOY Journey

The JOY Journey is an online space for women ready to reconnect, reset, and grow – at your own pace or alongside a supportive community.

What you get:

• 10 emails each month with simple, research-backed tools
• Guided meditations, journalling prompts, and practical techniques
• Ongoing support designed to help changes actually stick
• Access to a dedicated app with all content anytime

Community option:

• Live sessions twice a month (1 hour)
• Reflect, write, and connect with others on the same path
• Fridays at 11:30 MT

If something in this episode resonated, this is your next step.

Get 30% off as a Finding Joy listener:

https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page 

Connect with Finding Joy:

Website: https://www.leonadevinne.com and https://devillepartners.com 

Subscribe for weekly emails: https://ghl.devillepartners.com/widget/form/Dvb9FUenar3xybDTFeww 

The JOY Journey https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyspot  

Finding Your Joy Spot Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991707583

What if everything you chased – success, validation, achievement – wasn’t what truly mattered?

Leona deVinne sits down with her partner, Rod Miller, to explore how trauma, identity, and a life-changing cancer diagnosis reshaped his definition of fulfilment. Rod shares raw reflections on resilience, healing, and letting go of inherited expectations. Together, they unpack how adversity can clarify what matters most: relationships, health, and living in alignment with who you really are.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Prioritizing what truly matters

(05:28) Redefining success and priorities

(06:49) Finding meaning beyond traditional success

(09:32) Childhood trauma that shaped identity

(13:05) Purpose, leadership and legacy

(17:19) Turning adversity into growth

(22:32) Understanding identity through early life

(25:27) Creating a meaningful life

(26:49) Choosing to be true to yourself

Links mentioned in this episode:

Rod Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodmiller/ 

Connect with Finding Joy:

Website: https://www.leonadevinne.com and https://devillepartners.com/

Subscribe for weekly emails: https://ghl.devillepartners.com/widget/form/Dvb9FUenar3xybDTFeww

The JOY Journey https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyspot 

Finding Your Joy Spot Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991707583 

Ever had a day where joy felt impossible to find? In this minisode, I unpack the ‘3 Ps’ of resilient people, from Martin Seligman.

Next time life gets messy – remember the key takeaway: Check your thinking, stay centered, and come back to joy. You’ve got this.

Connect with Finding Joy:

Website: https://www.leonadevinne.com and https://devillepartners.com 

Subscribe for weekly emails: https://ghl.devillepartners.com/widget/form/Dvb9FUenar3xybDTFeww 

The JOY Journey https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyspot  

Finding Your Joy Spot Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991707583

Welcome to Finding Joy! In this season’s opening episode, I provide a candid exploration of my own relationship with joy – especially how it shows up in life’s messiest moments.  Tune in as I share my philosophy: joy isn’t about ignoring pain or spreading superficial positivity, but rather it’s deeply linked to authenticity, meaning, and finding purpose even when circumstances are tough.

Through stories, science, and soulful discussion, this episode sets the stage for a season committed to helping listeners Just Own You – the acronym for JOY discovered in a moment of self-reflection.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:09) The power of joy in challenging times

(04:03) The true nature of joy

(04:54) The power of unfinished conversations

(06:27) Owning yourself

(07:16) Embracing authenticity

Links mentioned in this episode:

Brené Brown

Website: https://www.leonadevinne.com and https://devillepartners.com/

Subscribe for weekly emails: https://ghl.devillepartners.com/widget/form/Dvb9FUenar3xybDTFeww

The JOY Journey https://go.leonadevinne.com/the-joy-journey-landing-page 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyspot 

Finding Your Joy Spot Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991707583 

🎙️ Finding Your Joy Spot with Leona deVinne
Episode Title: The Vulnerability Hangover
Length: 5–6 minutes

💡 Episode Summary

What does The Lion King have to do with courage, self-doubt, and grace?

In this honest and relatable episode, author and guide Leona deVinne shares a story about waking up with what Brené Brown calls a vulnerability hangover, that moment when bravery feels more like panic than power.

From nearly “throwing in the towel” to being reminded (by both her coach and Mufasa) to remember who you are, Leona takes us inside a morning of stretching, self-doubt, and grace.

She reminds us that bravery doesn’t always look bold; sometimes it looks like rolling out your yoga mat when you want to hide, listening for the still, small voice that says remember, and choosing not to back down when the stretch feels uncomfortable.

Because this is the art of not giving up.

🪞 In This Episode

• What it feels like to have a vulnerability hangover - and why it’s not a sign to stop.
• How small grounding practices can anchor courage when you feel uncertain.
• The unexpected wisdom of The Lion King and the power of remembering who you are.
• The poem that brought Leona back to her purpose - and what “Just Own You” really means.
• How grace helps us hold both self-doubt and self-belief at the same time.

📝 Journal Prompts

• Where in my life am I being stretched right now?
• What would it look like to offer myself grace instead of criticism?
• When I “remember who I am,” what truths rise to the surface?
• What does Just Own You mean to me in this season?

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Grace - Leona’s meditation soundtrack from The Womb series.
• Blog: When Courage Feels Uncomfortable
• Learn more about Leona’s work at leonadevinne.com

✨ Connect with Leona

• Website: leonadevinne.com
• Instagram: @thejoyspot
• Substack: Finding Your Joy Spot
• YouTube: Leona deVinne - Finding Your Joy Spot

💬 Episode Quote

“Grace is what we need when our courage feels shaky - it’s what keeps us from quitting when the stretch gets uncomfortable.” - Leona deVinne

Episode Title: Be a Bob: The Hardest Thing I Did Wasn’t Changing the Tire
Host: Leona deVinne
Podcast: Finding Your Joy Spot

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and surprisingly funny reflection, Leona shares the story of a flat tire that turned into an unexpected retreat — and the moment she realized that the hardest thing she did that day wasn’t changing the tire.

It was asking for help.

From a dusty roadside to a chance encounter with a stranger named Bob, this episode explores what it means to lead, live, and love without armouring up — and how courage sometimes looks like raising your hand instead of holding it all together.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why “muscling through” can quietly become a coping strategy that keeps us disconnected.

  
  

• How to reframe asking for help as a strength, not a weakness

  
  

• What a flat tire can teach us about self-reliance, grace, and the real work of joy

  
  

• The power of small, ordinary acts of kindness (and how to be a Bob for someone else)

  
  

• Why life’s detours often deliver the lesson we needed most

  Key Quote

“The hardest thing I did that day wasn’t changing the tire — it was admitting I couldn’t do it all myself.”
 — Leona deVinne

Reflection Prompt

Where in your life are you still trying to muscle through something alone?
 And who could you reach out to — or quietly help — this week?

Connect with Leona

🌐 Website: www.leonadevinne.com
📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter: leonadevinne.com/subscribe
💫 Join the Membership: The J.O.Y. Journey — a community for women ready to live, lead, and love without apology.
📸 Follow on Instagram: @thejoyspot
🎧 Listen & Share: Finding Your Joy Spot is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen.

❤️ If You Loved This Episode

• Share it with a friend who tends to do it all by themself.

  
  

• Leave a review —