Joy of the Hang | A Wellness, Connection & Empowerment Podcast with Sharon Stevenson

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In this episode, I sit down with Kortney Farhat for an honest and energizing conversation about what it really takes to build, lead, and evolve in today’s fast-changing world.

Kortney shares her journey—lessons learned, pivotal risks taken, and the mindset shifts that helped her navigate challenges and step confidently into new levels of growth. We talk about leadership under pressure, trusting your instincts, overcoming self-doubt, and how to stay aligned while scaling your ambitions.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, executive, or someone in the middle of your own reinvention, this episode will leave you thinking bigger and moving bolder.

https://www.kortneymurray.com/about-me

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What if turning 50 wasn’t the beginning of the end — but the start of your most powerful chapter?

In this episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with Lorraine Ladish, CEO and co-founder of Viva Fifty!, a dynamic bilingual community celebrating life at 50 and beyond.

Originally from Madrid and now based in Sarasota, Lorraine shares her bold reinvention story — from losing her print journalism career during the 2008 recession to becoming a leading midlife content creator and voice for women’s empowerment.

We talk about:
• Reinventing yourself after 50
• Navigating identity shifts in midlife
• Entrepreneurship in the digital age
• Cultural belonging as a Spanish-American woman
• Confidence, longevity, and why it’s never too late to start again

At 62, Lorraine believes she still has so much to build — and this conversation will inspire you to rethink what’s possible in your next chapter.

Because we are born to bond. Built to belong. At every age.

Follow Joy of the Hang for more conversations about connection, reinvention, and living fully.

https://www.vivafifty.com/

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In this honest and heartfelt episode, Sharon sits down with interior designer and new mom Christiana Engert to talk about the life shift no one can fully prepare you for: your first baby.

We go beyond the cute photos and nursery décor to unpack the real changes that happen after becoming parents. Christiana opens up about what surprised her most — from the emotional and physical transformation of her body to the unexpected mental load of new motherhood. We talk about how your relationship with your spouse evolves, how roles shift, and how connection can feel both deeper and more strained at the same time.

This episode is about identity, partnership, exhaustion, love, and learning to communicate in a season where everything feels new. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why didn’t anyone tell me this part?” — this conversation is for you.

Whether you’re expecting, newly postpartum, or years into parenting, you’ll walk away feeling less alone and more understood.

Because sometimes the most important hang… is the one that helps you find each other again. 💛

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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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In this heartfelt episode of Joy of the Hang, I sit down with Christina Ordonez for an honest conversation about the emotional, physical, and relational challenges of pregnancy and IVF treatments.

Christina shares what it’s really like to walk through uncertainty, medical interventions, hope, disappointment, and resilience—often quietly, and often without enough support. We talk about the parts of fertility journeys that are rarely discussed: the isolation, the pressure to stay positive, and the deep need for connection during one of life’s most vulnerable seasons.

This episode is for anyone who has struggled to conceive, supported someone who has, or felt unseen during a season that was supposed to be joyful. It’s a reminder that hope can coexist with grief—and that no one should have to walk this road alone.

🎧 A conversation about courage, compassion, and the power of being held—emotionally and socially—when the journey gets hard.

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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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In this powerful episode of Joy of the Hang, Sharon Stevenson sits down with Francesca Graham, an advocate working with the Walk the Talk Foundation, an organization dedicated to defending whistleblowers in service who risk their careers—and often their well-being—by telling the truth.

Francesca shares what it really means to “walk the talk” when integrity collides with institutions, and why protecting those who speak up is not just a legal issue, but a moral one. Together, they explore the personal cost of courage, the isolation whistleblowers often face, and the urgent need for systems that support honesty rather than punish it.

This is a conversation about bravery, accountability, and the human toll of doing the right thing when it’s hardest. It’s not always comfortable—but it’s deeply important.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to people who refuse to stay silent, this episode will stay with you.

https://walkthetalkfoundation.org/

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 Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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What happens when you remove alcohol from the founder lifestyle—and replace it with clarity, community, and purpose? In today’s episode, Sharon sits down with Andrew Lasisse, founder of Sober Founders, to talk about sobriety in entrepreneurship, building identity without drinking culture, and why going alcohol-free can become a true competitive advantage. We dive into business growth, mental health, confidence, and the power of connection when you choose a new way to “hang.” If you’re sober-curious, in recovery, or building something big—this one will hit home.

https://www.soberfounders.org/

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 Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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This episode is a gripping, heart-stirring journey you’ll never forget.

At just 14 years old, Nini Ta fled South Vietnam as one of the Vietnamese Boat People—risking everything for a chance at freedom. Her escape was perilous, her time in a refugee camp was uncertain, and her arrival in the United States marked only the beginning of an entirely new fight for survival.

But Nini didn’t just rebuild her life…
 She rose.

Today, she’s an acclaimed dentist who runs a thriving practice, a testament to what determination, resilience, and faith can create even out of the darkest circumstances.

In our conversation, Nini opens up about:

• The night she escaped Vietnam and what she carried with her
• The brutal reality of life as a young refugee
• The moments that nearly broke her — and the ones that carried her forward
• How she built a successful career in dentistry from the ground up
• The legacy she hopes her story will inspire in others

This is a story of survival, courage, grit, and the unshakeable spirit of a young girl who refused to give up.

Don’t miss this one. It stays with you.

https://www.siestavillagedentistry.com/

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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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Season 2 opens with a remarkable story of bold faith and unstoppable purpose.

In this episode, I sit down with Zach Kyriazis—a 20-year-old evangelist and missionary who speaks ten languages and spends his life spreading the message of Christ across Ukraine and developing nations. Zach found Jesus at just fourteen years old, and from that moment on, his path was set: go where hope is needed most and meet people exactly where they are.

Together, we talk about:

• The moment Zach encountered Christ and how it reshaped everything
• What mission work really looks like in places facing war, poverty, and fear
• How a young man carries spiritual courage into some of the hardest circumstances
• The unexpected ways God shows up in the field
• What Zach believes the world needs most right now

It’s a powerful, grounded, and eye-opening conversation with a young man whose wisdom far exceeds his years. A beautiful reminder that purpose doesn’t wait for permission—and that one faithful “yes” can ripple across the world.

A meaningful start to a new season. Let’s dive in.

http://www.modernday.org/profile/zachary-kyriazis/

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 Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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At just 12 years old, Haley Stark survived a spinal stroke that left her partially paralyzed and fighting for her life. Today, she is a powerful example of resilience, disability empowerment, and overcoming adversity.

In this moving episode of Joy of the Hang, Haley joins her mom, Sharon Stevenson, to share how surviving a childhood stroke reshaped her identity—and her future. After losing the use of her dominant right hand, Haley retrained her brain, adapted to life with a disability, and refused to let limitations define her.

A Harvard University graduate, Haley earned a dual degree in Psychology and Theater, blending mental health insight with creative expression. Along the way, she discovered the transformative power of improv and stand-up comedy, using humor as a tool for healing, confidence, and connection.

This episode explores:

• Life after a spinal stroke
• Navigating disability and identity
• The psychology of resilience and adaptability
• How comedy, improv, and laughter support mental health
• Redefining success after trauma
• Turning survival into purpose

From hospital rooms to Harvard classrooms to comedy stages, Haley’s journey is a reminder that joy, belonging, and confidence can be rebuilt—one brave choice at a time.

✨ A hopeful conversation for stroke survivors, people living with disabilities, caregivers, parents, and anyone learning how to rise after life-altering challenges.

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 Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.

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Ready to reset your health in the new year? Personal trainer Jim Foubister joins Sharon with practical, sustainable tips for building strength, boosting metabolism, and creating fitness habits that last longer than January.

Jim shares simple strategies for improving mobility, staying motivated, and designing routines that fit your real life—not the idealized one on Instagram. His approach is grounded, encouraging, and perfect for anyone wanting to feel stronger, lighter, and more energized in 2025.

And in true Joy of the Hang spirit, Jim helps us reconnect with the “H” in HANG: Healthy Habits as a form of self-connection. Because when we honor our bodies with small, consistent choices, we create a deeper hang with ourselves—one built on respect, discipline, and joy.

If you’re searching for expert insight on New Year fitness goals, strength training, fat loss, and healthy routines, this episode is your fresh start.

A Joyful Act for today: choose one Healthy Habit and let it anchor your week.

Support the show

 Be sure to click the Follow button so you never miss an episode of Joy of the Hang! Join the conversation with us on Instagram @joyofthehang
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 If you love what you hear, consider becoming a supporter of the show with a small monthly investment—it helps us keep bringing you inspiring stories, meaningful conversations, and great content week after week.