Joy Found Here

What if the moment that nearly broke you became the one that set you free? In episode 234 of Joy Found Here, author Megan Michelle shares how life-saving open-heart surgery became the spark for her debut novel Skylark. What began as weeks of darkness turned into a flood of inspiration—a story that would change her life and redefine her purpose. Through heartbreak, healing, and courage, Megan found her voice and a powerful reminder that sometimes the hardest detours lead us exactly where we’re meant to go.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• From heart surgery to storytelling (02:59)
• The “dark room download” that sparked Skylark (03:56)
• A spiritual shift from fear to faith (08:12)
• Losing a marriage, finding herself (12:34)
• Writing as healing and purpose (16:40)
• Meet Rachel Riker, the first female Navy SEAL (17:07)
• When psychology meets storytelling (22:52)
• Turning fiction into advocacy (24:28)
• Editing, community, and creative growth (32:47)
• Trusting divine detours (38:13)

Megan Michelle is the author of Skylark and Born in Blood, the first two novels in The Seal Saga—a blend of romance, action, and emotional depth. With a background in clinical psychology, she draws on her studies of grief and trauma, her family’s military roots, and her recovery from open-heart surgery to craft stories rooted in resilience and empowerment. Her work champions strong female leads and advocates for mental health, women’s strength, and creative freedom within the military community.

In this episode, Megan reveals how Skylark was born during her recovery—typed out on her phone in the dark after surgery when she couldn’t even look at a screen. What started as a spontaneous download became the story of Rachel Riker, the first female Navy SEAL fighting global patriarchy. The experience transformed Megan’s life, leading her to leave her marriage and corporate career to follow her true calling as a writer. Through her series, she channels psychology, spirituality, and storytelling into one purpose: turning pain into power and inspiring others to listen when the universe nudges them toward change.

Connect with Megan Michelle:

• Website
• Instagram
• Get Megan’s books!

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

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What happens when a former lawyer, pop musician, and science writer trades logic for imagination—and builds entire worlds from it? In episode 233 of Joy Found Here, author Lexy Shaw Delorme shares how a life of reinvention—from MTV studios to genetic startups to Parisian cafés—led her to discover writing as both calling and compass. With humor, grit, and rebellion, she reveals what it takes to trust creativity, defy convention, and turn every twist of fate into story.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• From military brat to multi-hyphenate (04:28)
• MTV dreams and the lawyer detour (05:15)
• The moment writing took over (06:37)
• Life between Paris, Hong Kong, and London (08:23)
• Five years of world-building magic (10:51)
• Turning travel into story (13:19)
• Fighting the publishing patriarchy (35:24)
• Writing as a family affair (38:20)
• Finding readers in real life (44:59)
• Pain, purpose, and paying attention (51:51)

Lexy Shaw Delorme is an award-winning American author, world traveler, and former lawyer based in Paris. A creative polymath, she’s been a pop musician with an MTV feature, a science writer at 23andMe, and a sound engineer—all before turning to fiction. Writing under the pen name S. Delorme, she’s known for her cross-genre urban-fantasy series—Caio, Bright Midnight, and Fanning Fireflies—where paranormal romance meets legal drama and metaphysical intrigue. Blending science, spirituality, and storytelling, she explores what lies beneath appearances and how consciousness connects us all, appearing regularly at Comic-Cons and literary festivals across Europe and the U.S.

In this episode, Lexy reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, reinvention, and writing as her constant thread. From military-base childhood to law school, MTV band days, and early 23andMe startup life, she traces how each experience fuels her stories. She shares how years of world-building, travel, and spirituality became the foundation for her novels—and how turning writing into a family project keeps her inspired. Defying industry bias and following her instincts, Lexy reminds us that courage means answering the quiet knock of inspiration and living wide open to whatever story comes next.

Connect with Lexy Shaw Delorme:

• Website
• TikTok
• Instagram
• X
• SoundCloud
• Get Lexy’s books!

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

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What happens when self-doubt meets self-discovery—and a wellness coach turns every wrinkle and “what-the-fuck” moment into joy? In episode 232 of the Joy Found Here, Lauri Stern shares how yoga, energy work, and humor helped her stop judging her reflection and start honoring it. From mirror gazing to her “Joy on the Fives” ritual, she shows how awareness and laughter can quiet the inner critic. For anyone ready to trade perfectionism for presence, this episode proves that joy isn’t found—it’s practiced.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• From yoga mat to microphone (03:58)
• Embodied wisdom and the chakra connection (05:27)
• The mirror and the message (08:19)
• The “what-the-fuck wrinkle” and rewriting self-talk (10:21)
• Creating The Real and the Woo (15:27)
• Owning your worth and celebrating small wins (19:59)
• Girlfriends, growth, and the bra talk (23:16)
• When life happens for you (27:01)
• The sponge metaphor and emotional resilience (29:26)
• Finding joy on the fives (39:21)

As the founder of Custom Designed Wellness, Lauri Stern helps people reconnect with body, energy, and intuition through movement, mindfulness, and the chakra system. A certified yoga instructor, Reiki practitioner, and intuitive coach, she blends sacred geometry, energy work, and practical self-awareness to guide others toward alignment and healing. As host of The Real and the Woo podcast, she explores where science meets spirituality with humor and depth—reminding us that joy and self-worth aren’t luxuries but daily practices.

In this episode, Lauri brings her grounded spirituality and quick wit, reminding listeners that life happens for us, not to us. She and Stephanie discuss mirror gazing, feminine energy, and how to stop dimming our light. From her “what-the-fuck wrinkle” story to her “Joy on the Fives” exercise, Lauri turns self-criticism into compassion and shows how joy can become a habit. With wisdom and humor, she invites us to see ourselves—wrinkles, shadows, and all—as divine works in progress.

Connect with Lauri Stern:

• Website
• Substack
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Podcast: The Real and The Woo with Lauri Stern

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

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What happens when your entire world collapses—and you have no choice but to rebuild from the ashes? In episode 231 of Joy Found Here, writer and resilience coach Selena Brown shares how she turned heartbreak and betrayal into a blueprint for strength. From teen motherhood to surviving a life-shattering marriage, her story is raw, real, and deeply human—a reminder that even in chaos, you can find clarity, courage, and a new beginning.

Selena Brown is a writer and creator of the Substack publication Mastering Resiliency, where she helps readers navigate life’s challenges with strength and adaptability. A former teen mom who rebuilt her life after profound upheaval, she channels her experiences into stories and tools that inspire growth, healing, and resilience. Through her writing, courses, and community, Selena encourages others to turn hardship into purpose and thrive no matter what life brings.

In this episode, Selena shares how she overcame a turbulent childhood, early motherhood, and the collapse of her first marriage after a shocking betrayal. Starting over with nothing, she rebuilt her life for her daughters and discovered writing as a way to heal. Her journey led to Mastering Resiliency, a platform that proves true strength isn’t about never breaking—but learning to bend, rebuild, and rise. By owning her story, Selena shows how releasing shame can transform pain into purpose.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• A childhood divided (04:40)
• Teen mom at nineteen (05:45)
• When the unthinkable happened (09:55)
• Facing betrayal and truth (11:30)
• Starting over from nothing (13:00)
• Finding healing through writing (15:45)
• Turning pain into purpose (18:20)
• Quiet, nature, and recovery (21:00)
• Building Mastering Resiliency (27:00)
• Redefining strength and moving forward (35:00)
• Releasing shame, finding freedom (41:30)

Connect with Selena Brown:

• Substack
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

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What happens when loss collides with leadership—and a business psychologist decides to turn heartbreak into a blueprint for living authentically? In episode 230 of Joy Found Here, Dr. Camille Preston shares how navigating five devastating losses in just five months forced her to slow down, reframe her choices, and ultimately write her book Living Real: Redefining Success, Presence, and Happiness. For Camille, the journey wasn’t about pushing through pain but about embracing the full spectrum of human experience—grief, joy, and everything in between.

As the founder of AIM Leadership, Camille helps individuals and organizations unlock potential not through surface-level fixes, but by integrating work and life in ways that are real, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling. She opens up about how saying “no,” questioning long-held assumptions, and having more genuine conversations became lifelines during her own season of grief. Her beloved Uncle Phil, a central figure in her story, embodies the legacy of living with clarity and purpose—reminding us that impact comes from presence, not perfection.

In this episode, Camille reflects on why micro shifts matter, how to stop “shallowing” your life, and why permission to feel is the gateway to joy. Whether you’re a leader burned out from endless demands or someone carrying unprocessed grief, her message is clear: when we choose to live real, we create more room for connection, meaning, and enduring joy.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Five losses in five months (04:26)
• Asking what really matters (07:25)
• Questioning old assumptions (08:50)
• The power of slowing down and saying no (10:07)
• From coach to business psychologist (12:10)
• Loneliness, burnout, and “shallowing” (16:38)
• Uncle Phil’s legacy (20:34)
• Metabolizing grief into growth (23:45)
• Micro shifts and resilience (28:42)
• Choosing integration over perfection (36:33)

Connect with Dr. Camille Preston:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• Book: Dr. Camille Preston - Living Real

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

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What happens when a high-powered attorney trading in courtroom battles decides she’s done with conflict? In episode 229 of Joy Found Here, Wendy S. Meadows shares how she rewrote her story, swapping litigation for coaching, mediation, and a framework for lasting joy. Once a successful family law attorney and partner at her firm, Wendy realized the adversarial nature of litigation no longer aligned with her values. Her pivot into mediation and coaching allowed her to create a career that uplifts others instead of tearing them down.

Her book Sparkle and Grit offers a roadmap for high-achieving women to move beyond burnout and live with clarity. For Wendy, grit isn’t about grinding harder—it’s about perseverance through small, consistent steps, while sparkle is the inspiration that keeps you moving toward a life you truly want. She also opens up about her upcoming projects, including Letters to Little Wendy, a heartfelt guide rooted in her own journey of overcoming self-doubt and people-pleasing.

In this episode, Wendy reflects on why self-trust, curiosity, and empathy are the keys to transformation. From showing divorcing couples there is a kinder way forward to reminding women that they can redefine success on their own terms, her message is clear: fulfillment comes not from perfection, but from choosing courage, baby steps, and joy every single day.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Finding her old journals and lifelong patterns (4:20)
• Why she’s writing Letters to Little Wendy (5:51)
• Entering family law and rising as a litigator (7:30)
• Discovering the contrast through wellness coaching (7:58)
• Leaving her firm and choosing mediation (10:29)
• How COVID led her to life coaching (10:54)
• The meaning of Sparkle and Grit (21:39)
• Helping women reconnect with their younger selves (24:47)
• The power of slowing down and asking questions (29:36)
• Advice for moms balancing career and family (35:25)

Connect with Wendy S. Meadows:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Book: Wendy S. Meadows - Sparkle and Grit

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune in to episode 228 of Joy Found Here, where wellness coach Shabana Knight shares her extraordinary journey from an Indian orphanage to a life built on gratitude, health, and self-discovery. Adopted and raised in the U.S., Shabana returned decades later to the orphanage where her story began, an experience that deepened her sense of identity and sparked a greater appreciation for the life she has built with her family.

That same openness has guided her career. What began with encouraging a coworker to lose baby weight revealed her natural gift for motivation, which grew into personal training, wellness coaching, and a holistic practice blending fitness, hormone balance, homeopathic remedies, and decluttering. Her approach emphasizes that true wellness goes beyond the body—it’s about aligning mind, body, and environment so you can thrive from a place of overflow rather than depletion.

In this episode, Shabana reflects on how gratitude, community, and intentional self-care can transform not just health but entire lives. From her human design discoveries to embracing both a given and chosen birthday, she shows why putting yourself first isn’t selfish but essential. Her message is clear: wellness isn’t perfection—it’s alignment, abundance, and the daily choice to live with intention.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How Shabana’s life began in an Indian orphanage before adoption in the U.S. (2:54)
• Her return to India and the powerful experience of visiting her orphanage (4:18)
• The gratitude shifts she brought home after reconnecting with her roots (7:19)
• How helping a coworker lose baby weight launched her into fitness coaching (8:29)
• Why personal training and decluttering “found her” as part of her wellness path (10:30)
• The role of intuition and how she makes things happen—from drops to coaching (13:30)
• Living from overflow instead of depletion and why it changes everything (16:39)
• The surprising story of choosing a second birthday through human design (17:55)
• How homeopathic drops transformed her hormones, sleep, and mood (24:37)
• Simple daily rituals that keep her grounded, grateful, and able to give (27:29)

Connect with Shabana Knight:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Podcast: Organized Chaos; Stories with Shabana

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune in to episode 227 of Joy Found Here, where Jacques Martiquet—better known as The Party Scientist—shares how joy and human connection can transform our lives. From flash mobs to sober raves, he explores joy as a biological state, the role of community as an amplifier, and why joy may be the most underrated natural antidepressant we have.

Jacques wasn’t always the life of the sober party—he began as a festival medic, watching firsthand how alcohol and drugs derailed so many experiences. That pushed him to try something different: he started throwing sober raves where people could dance, connect, and feel alive without substances. Those events went viral and “The Party Scientist” was born. Since then, Jacques has built JoyCamp into a six-figure event brand, hosted corporate openings and adult summer camps, and led communities around the world in rediscovering authentic joy. His mission is simple but radical: design gatherings where phones are down, guards are lowered, and people leave feeling more connected to themselves and others.

In this episode, Jacques unpacks the myths of escapism, reflects on the impact of FOMO and perfectionism, and highlights why authentic connection is essential to well-being. From daily habits to co-living experiments, he reminds us: joy isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we train, practice, and share.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How Jacques went from pharmacologist to The Party Scientist (3:03)
• Why joy is a biological state—and the habits that create it (6:43)
• The irony of drugs at festivals and how sober raves flip the script (10:44)
• Escapism, FOMO, and why joy is an inside job (14:11)
• The three pathways to joy: mindset, biology, environment (16:30)
• How Joy Bootcamp builds routines for lasting joy (20:06)
• Why community accelerates joy more than going it alone (23:30)
• The power of co-living and digital detox at Joy Mansion (28:58)
• How structure and play help overcome perfectionism and fear (36:55)
• What’s next for Jacques and the future of Joy Bootcamp (40:57)

Connect with Jacques Martiquet:

• Website
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune in to episode 226 of Joy Found Here, where Barbara Burgess returns to share how granting ourselves permission changes everything. Building on part one, she explores the freedom that comes from living with intention, releasing rules, and embracing “enough” as the starting point for joy and possibility.

Barbara is the author of Enough: Finding Peace in a World of Distractions, Hustle, and Expectations and the founder of Corluma, a consultancy guiding leaders and individuals toward heart-centered transformation. A late-in-life mother of two, speaker, and performer of a one-woman show, she brings a rare mix of candor, wisdom, and courage to conversations about authenticity and possibility.

In this episode, Barbara shares how granting ourselves permission—to rest, to wander, to play, to choose differently—becomes the foundation of freedom. She and Stephanie unpack cultural myths of productivity and perfection, reflect on the power of intentional living, and highlight why redefining frameworks of success opens new paths for creativity and joy. From small daily choices to life-changing decisions, Barbara reminds us: you are already enough, and from that truth, everything is possible.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why permission is the missing link to authenticity (4:37)
• How “get to” replaces “have to” and shifts everything (10:31)
• The “I don’t care” club and what it really means (14:12)
• Flow over frameworks: releasing rules to reclaim joy (17:13)
• Wanders instead of walks: reframing routines (19:24)
• The beauty of “and” over “either/or” (20:28)
• Building a business from heart and light (23:03)
• Authenticity in leadership, consulting, and beyond (29:46)
• Why showing up real creates deeper connection (34:23)
• A mic-drop reminder: permission granted (35:39)

Connect with Barbara Burgess:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Book: Barbara Burgess - enough.: finding peace in a world of distractions, hustle, and expectations

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune in to episode 225 of Joy Found Here as executive coach and author Barbara Burgess shares how lowering the bar creates freedom and joy. Learn how her concept of “Enough” and the power of boundaries can transform how you define success.

In this episode, I’m joined by Barbara Burgess, an executive coach, author, and speaker helping leaders and individuals embrace authenticity and redefine success. After over 20 years in corporate leadership, she founded Corluma, a consultancy for heart-centered transformation. She is the author of Enough: Finding Peace in a World of Distractions, Hustle, and Expectations, which invites readers to let go of comparison and embrace their worth. Barbara has also brought her message to the stage with a one-woman show exploring identity, boundaries, and grace. A late-in-life mother of two, she blends personal insight with professional expertise to empower others with confidence, purpose, and joy.

Throughout this episode, Barbara speaks candidly about leaving corporate life for a more authentic and creative path. She highlights the value of honesty over small talk, the courage to admit struggles, and the deeper connections that follow. She explores the toxic pull of comparison, explains how “Enough” emerged as both a felt sense of peace and the foundation of her book, and shows how dropping expectations creates freedom and possibility. Barbara also stresses unapologetic boundaries, shares lessons from her one-woman show, and champions permission and choice as the true starting points for fulfillment. Her message is clear: you are already enough—and from that truth, everything becomes possible.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Beyond titles: Choosing to show up as human (3:41)
• Honesty over perfection in motherhood (5:23)
• The power of permission and grace (8:53)
• Comparison kills: Escaping the ladder (13:41)
• Lowering expectations to the floor (27:31)
• Boundaries without apology (32:37)
• The one-woman show: Exploring alternate realities (39:48)
• Redefining success and freedom (47:26)
• Final reminder: you are already enough (53:33)

Connect with Barbara Burgess:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Book: Barbara Burgess - enough.: finding peace in a world of distractions, hustle, and expectations

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.