JOY Unfiltered: Choose Joy on Purpose

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What if joy isn’t something you wait for… but something you build?

In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel breaks down the science and strategy behind joy—and how fun, variety, and happiness work together to create a life that actually feels good.

Blending research from leading experts like Arthur Brooks, Catherine Price, Kelly McGonigal, Ross Gay, and Shawn Achor with her own ENJOY Method™, Rachel shows you how to move from checking boxes to truly experiencing your life.

You’ll learn:

•  Why happiness alone isn’t enough (and what’s missing) 
•  The real definition of fun—and why it matters more than you think 
•  How movement creates joy in your body (not just results) 
•  Why variety is the secret to feeling alive again 
•  How noticing small moments can rewire your brain for joy 
•  Rachel’s “Macros of Joy” and how to use them daily 

This isn’t about doing more.

It’s about feeling more… with what you already have.

🎯 Your takeaway: Joy isn’t the reward. It’s the way forward.

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Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

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What if the life you’re building isn’t about perfection… but about curiosity?

In this deeply honest and expansive conversation, Rachel sits down with author, traveler, and creative soul Luna Westish to explore identity, reinvention, and what it really means to become who you are—on your own terms.

From leaving a high-control religion to navigating parenthood, neurodivergence, and creative expression, Luna shares a powerful story of self-discovery that will resonate with anyone who has ever asked: Who am I now?

This episode is a reminder that you don’t need a complete roadmap. You just need the next right step.

🎙️ We talk about:

•  Rebuilding identity after major life shifts 
•  Why curiosity is more powerful than judgment 
•  The truth about perfectionism (and where it comes from) 
•  Neurodivergence, creativity, and self-acceptance 
•  Why you don’t need permission to call yourself a writer, artist, or leader 
•  The healing power of storytelling—especially through fiction 

And of course, we dive into Luna’s novel Meet Me at the Ruins, a reflective, cross-genre story about identity, belonging, and love.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, boxed in, or unsure of your next move… this episode will gently crack open the door.

Purchase the book (also available on Amazon): 

https://bookshop.org/a/115025/9798986371665

Social Media Links:
https://www.instagram.com/lunawestish
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576278556728
https://www.tiktok.com/lunawestish

Author website:
www.lunawestish.com

Non-fiction writing:
https://www.medium.com/@allisonbishins

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Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
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What actually happens in your brain under stress… and how does joy help you recover?

In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel goes deep into the neuroscience of resilience, breaking down how chronic stress impacts the brain and why joy is not a luxury—but a biological strategy.

You’ll learn:

•  How the amygdala becomes more reactive under chronic stress 
•  Why your prefrontal cortex goes offline when you need it most 
•  The role of blood flow, cortisol, and nervous system regulation
•  How stress reshapes your brain—and how joy helps reshape it back 
•  Why “pushing through” is not resilience (and what is) 
•  Simple, science-backed practices to regulate your nervous system in real time 

This is a nerdy, empowering deep dive into how your brain actually works—and how to use joy to lead, live, and recover more powerfully.

Because joy isn’t the reward.

It’s the strategy.

Support the show

Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

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What if the thing holding you back… isn’t your strategy, your discipline, or your motivation?

What if it’s your nervous system?

In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel sits down with global expert Tiffany Toombs to unpack the real reason so many high-achieving women feel stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in cycles they can’t seem to break.

This isn’t surface-level self-help. This is a deep, grounded look at how your body, brain, and past experiences shape your reality—and what you can actually do about it.

Inside this conversation, you’ll learn:

•  Why 70–80% of your day may be spent in survival mode 
•  How your nervous system confuses emails with actual danger 
•  The real reason behind self-sabotage (and why it’s not your fault) 
•  How limiting beliefs are formed—and why they feel so real 
•  3 simple, science-backed exercises to regulate your nervous system 
•  How to move from reactive living to intentional decision-making 

This episode will help you stop trying to “fix” yourself…
 and start understanding yourself in a way that changes everything.

Because joy, clarity, and growth don’t come from pushing harder.
 They come from feeling safe enough to expand.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

•  Your nervous system is designed to protect you, not grow you 
•  Self-sabotage is a safety mechanism, not a character flaw 
•  Most limiting beliefs were formed before age 7 
•  Chronic stress fuels both mental and physical health issues 
•  Regulation is a practice, not a one-time fix 
•  Safety is the foundation for growth, clarity, and joy 

Connect with Tiffany:

LinkedIn

Support the show

Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

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Feeling overwhelmed, overbooked, and like there’s never enough time in the day?

In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel sits down with time management expert Alyssa Wolf to unpack a refreshing, realistic approach to getting your time back—without doing more or pushing harder.

Instead of productivity hacks that leave you exhausted, Alyssa shares a powerful three-part framework: scheduling, mindset, and delegation—designed to help you create space, reduce stress, and actually enjoy your life again.

They also explore the deeper layers of time management, including:

•  Letting go of “should” thinking 
•  Rewriting limiting beliefs (aka “mind trash”) 
•  Creating realistic schedules with margin 
•  Delegating at home and in business 
•  Understanding your natural energy through Human Design 

This conversation is for anyone who wants more clarity, more space, and more joy in their day.

Because the goal isn’t to do more.
 It’s to live better.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

•  Time management is not just about your calendar—it’s about your mindset 
•  “Should” thinking is one of the biggest sources of overwhelm 
•  Scheduling without margin = guaranteed stress 
•  Delegation is essential, not optional 
•  You don’t need more discipline—you need a better system 
•  Personalization (like Human Design) can unlock ease and alignment

Connect with Alyssa

Website

Podcast 

LinkedIn

Support the show

Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

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What if the fastest way forward… wasn’t doing more alone—but connecting more deeply with others?

In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel dives into the science and strategy behind connection, collaboration, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can completely transform your life, leadership, and success.

After attending a powerful conference filled with driven, purpose-led women, Rachel shares what really stood out—and it wasn’t strategy. It was belief, energy, and the undeniable power of being in rooms where people see you, support you, and expand what feels possible.

Inside this episode:

•  Why connection is a biological need—not a luxury 
•  The neuroscience behind mirror neurons and belief expansion 
•  How collaboration boosts confidence, creativity, and performance 
•  Why competition keeps you stuck (and what to choose instead) 
•  The role of oxytocin, dopamine, and nervous system regulation in connection 
•  How to find your people—and become someone others want to collaborate with 
•  A simple daily practice to build meaningful connection (starting today) 

This isn’t just about networking.
 This is about building a life—and leadership style—rooted in connection, trust, and shared growth.

Because joy isn’t something you wait for.
 It’s something you build… together.

And - if you are interested in connecting with Sheryl Raphael Whitaker

Sheryl Raphael Whitaker, ICF-ACC | LinkedIn

It Starts with Joy: The Inner Shift that Changes Everything

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Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
• Instagram
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You’re tired… but it’s more than tired.

You’re overwhelmed.
 You’re procrastinating simple things.
 You don’t feel like yourself anymore.

In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel sits down with Dr. Holly King to explore what burnout really is and why it’s not just about doing too much, but about a dysregulated nervous system.

This conversation blends science, self-awareness, and practical tools to help you understand what’s happening in your body and how to guide yourself back to balance.

Because burnout isn’t a personal failure.
 It’s a signal.

And when you learn how to listen… you can begin to feel like yourself again.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS

•  What burnout actually is (beyond exhaustion) 
•  Common signs: overwhelm, procrastination, disrupted sleep 
•  How your nervous system shifts into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn 
•  Why simple tasks can feel impossible when you’re dysregulated 
•  How to create space before reacting 
•  Breathwork as a fast, accessible reset 
•  EFT tapping to reduce emotional intensity 
•  Why joy and gratitude help regulate your system 
•  The power of a “joy list” 
•  How keystone habits support your energy 
•  Journaling to shift mindset and future direction 
•  When to change your mindset and when to change your environment 

🛠️ SIMPLE TOOLS TO TRY

1. 3–5 Breath Reset
Take 3–5 slow, deep breaths.
Signal to your body: I am safe.

2. Joy List
Write what brings you joy - use it when you feel off.

3. Keystone Habit
Identify one habit that stabilizes your day and protect it.

🌿 CONNECT WITH DR. HOLLY KING

Instagram
Free Resource

💛 CALL TO ACTION

If this resonated:

👉 Take a breath right now
👉 Send one joyful text today
👉 Sign the One Joyful Text a Day pledge 
👉 Share this episode with someone who needs it

Support the show

Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

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You want it.
You know how to do it.

So why aren’t you doing it?

In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel sits down with performance coach, international speaker, and bestselling author Kam Knight to unpack one of the most misunderstood forces in personal growth: internal resistance.

This conversation goes far beyond surface-level mindset talk. You’ll learn why your brain can create powerful desires… and block you from acting on them at the exact same time.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or frustrated with yourself, this episode will change how you see it and more importantly, what you do about it.

Because you’re not broken.
 You’re resisting.

And once you understand that?
 Everything shifts.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS

•  Why wanting something does NOT mean you’ll take action 
•  The two competing systems in your brain: desire vs resistance 
•  Why fear is not the cause - but a symptom - of resistance 
•  The hidden “board of directors” in your mind making decisions for you 
•  How beliefs, habits, comfort zones, and self-image silently block progress 
•  Why your brain prefers familiar - even if it’s painful 
•  The surprising role your past (yes, even childhood voices) still plays today 
•  How strong desire can actually increase resistance 
•  Why letting go of the timeline accelerates results 
•  The simplest and most powerful tool to rewire your brain: self-talk

🛠️ PRACTICAL TOOL FROM THIS EPISODE

The “Do It Now” Self-Talk Formula:

Repeat daily:

•  I am a do it now person. 
•  I easily do things now. 
•  I easily accomplish my goals right away. 

Simple. Repeatable. Powerful.
 This is how you start retraining your brain to act.

🎁 FREE RESOURCES FROM CAM

Grab all three at: kamknight.com

•  Prompt Engineering for Your Mind 
•  Build Skills & Habits in Your Sleep 
•  Deep Dive into Internal Resistance 

💬 CONNECT WITH CAM

Website: kamknight.com

💛 CALL TO ACTION

If this episode hit you - don’t just nod your head… move.

👉 Send one joyful text today
👉 Sign the One Joyful Text a Day pledge (link in show notes)
👉 Share this episode with someone who needs it

Because one text can shift a moment…
 and a million texts can shift the world 🌍✨

⭐ RATE, FOLLOW, SHARE

If you loved this episode:

•  Hit FOLLOW so you never miss one 
•  Leave a review (it helps more people find this message) 
•  Share it with someone who’s ready to move forward

Support the show

Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

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What if joy isn’t something you wait for… but something you practice?

In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel breaks down the science and strategy behind micro joys - the small, often overlooked moments that can completely shift your mood, your nervous system, and your life.

We’re not talking about big, once-in-a-while happiness. We’re talking about daily, repeatable joy you can access anytime.

You’ll learn:

•  Why your brain is wired to miss joy (and how to retrain it) 
•  The neuroscience of micro-acts of joy and nervous system regulation 
•  How small moments can reduce stress, improve focus, and increase resilience 
•  The 3 Joy Macros: Noticing, Allowing, and Sharing 
•  A simple daily practice to create more energy, connection, and clarity 

This episode will change how you think about joy and how you live it.

✨ Ready to take action?
 Sign the One Joyful Text a Day pledge -  send your text, and join the ripple.

Because one moment of joy can change your day.
 A million can change the world.

📝 SHOW NOTES

In today’s episode, Rachel explores how micro joys can become a powerful daily strategy for improving your energy, mindset, and overall well-being.

🧠 Key Topics:

•  Negativity bias and how it shapes your perception 
•  Neuroplasticity and rewiring your brain for joy 
•  Dopamine, serotonin, and stress regulation 
•  Micro-acts of joy and their impact on mental health 
•  The Joy Macros framework: 
  •  Noticing 
  •  Allowing 
  •  Sharing 

💡 Your Daily Practice:

1.  Notice 3 micro joys 
2.  Allow each moment for 10–20 seconds 
3.  Share one with someone (text, conversation, or reflection) 

📲 Take the next step:
 👉 Sign the One Joyful Text a Day pledge 
👉 Send your first joyful text
👉 Share your experience

Support the show

Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

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What if the thing keeping you stuck… isn’t your life - but what you’re still holding onto?

In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel sits down with emotional clearing expert and meta-psychology coach Lesley Christine to explore how unresolved emotions shape our energy, decisions, and ability to experience joy.

Lesley shares her powerful personal story—from burnout and a life-altering flood to full-time RV travel, emotional healing, and ultimately helping other women release the invisible weight they’ve been carrying for years.

Together, they dive into:

•  What “emotional clearing” actually means (and how it works) 
•  The role of intention in releasing stored emotions 
•  Muscle testing and intuition as tools for self-awareness 
•  Why journaling is more powerful than you think 
•  How grief and joy can exist at the same time 
•  Leslie’s RECLAIM framework for helping women rediscover themselves in midlife 

This conversation is a reminder that joy isn’t something you earn after everything is perfect—it’s something you practice, even in the middle of life’s hardest moments.

And sometimes… the breakdown is actually the breakthrough.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS (Bullet Section)

•  Emotional “baggage” isn’t just mental—it’s stored in the body 
•  Intention is one of the most powerful tools for emotional release 
•  You don’t need to relive the full story to heal from it 
•  Journaling helps surface subconscious beliefs and patterns 
•  Joy and grief are not opposites—they can coexist 
•  Expecting good things can literally change your experience of life 
•  Small daily practices build emotional resilience over time 

⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

 03:00 Leslie’s Story: From Burnout to Emotional Healing
 08:30 What Is Emotional Clearing?
 14:00 Muscle Testing + Intuition Explained
 22:00 The Role of Intention in Healing
 28:00 Journaling as a Release Tool
 36:00 The RECLAIM Framework
 44:00 Joy + Grief: Can They Coexist?
 52:00 Expectation, Mindset & Finding the Good

👤 GUEST BIO

Lesley Christine is a certified meta-psychology coach, emotional clearing expert, and creator of Living the Game of Life, a platform inspired by the teachings of Florence Scovel Shinn.

Through her RECLAIM framework, Leslie helps high-achieving midlife women release emotional baggage, reconnect with themselves, and create lives filled with clarity, peace, and joy.

She is also the publisher of the 100th anniversary expanded edition of The Game of Life and How to Play It, bringing timeless wisdom into modern life.

🔗 LINKS

Connect with Lesley:

Website

Substack 

Book

Instagram

Living the Game of Life

Support the show

Connect with Rachel

• Joy-Led Leadership Forum
• Take the Pledge to send 1 Text a Day
• The JOY Project
• Joy is THE Strategy
• Instagram
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