JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast

What if one conversation with a stranger could change your confidence, your perspective, or even your life?

On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, host Greg De Koker sits down with Anesh Daya, Founder & CEO of On the Spot Language, an award-winning experiential language and cultural learning company in Toronto, to explore the extraordinary power of curiosity, courage, kindness and human connection.

Anesh is transforming language learning by taking it out of the classroom and into the real world. Instead of memorizing words and worrying about mistakes, his students discover the confidence to connect with strangers, embrace different cultures and turn uncomfortable moments into opportunities for growth and joy.

Together, Greg and Anesh explore why confidence comes from taking action, not waiting until we're ready. From overcoming fear and rejection to embracing imperfection and leading by example, they reveal how small, intentional interactions can transform our relationships, our work and the way we experience life.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why genuine connection matters more than perfect communication

• How embracing discomfort and rejection builds lasting confidence

• Why real-world experiences make learning more meaningful and joyful

• How curiosity opens doors to deeper relationships and cultural understanding

• Simple ways to spark joy through compliments, humour and kindness

• Why the way we show up matters more than what we tell our children and teams

• How one small interaction can create an extraordinary ripple effect

You don't need the perfect words, another language or even the confidence to start. Sometimes, all it takes is a smile, a little curiosity and the courage to say hello.

Because joy doesn't just happen to us. We create it in the moments we connect, lift others up and make someone feel seen.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to JOY²

02:32 Meet Anesh Daya

07:17 Every Stranger Is a Friend You Haven't Met Yet

09:01 Leading by Example as Parents

15:08 Building Confidence Through Daily Practices

18:02 Rethinking Traditional Language Learning

22:22 Turning Toronto Into a Classroom

27:04 Learning Through Cultural Experiences

32:05 Discovering Yourself Through Language

40:24 Discovering Your Passion Through Curiosity

42:01 Creating Joy Through Compliments and Humor

46:41 The Courage to Ask Questions

57:00 The Ripple Effect of Kindness and Connection

01:04:11 Final Reflections on Joy and Community

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 Anesh Daya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anesh-daya/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onthespotlanguage

Website: https://onthespotlanguage.com

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: The 7-Day Connection Invitation

What if you could create more joy in your life simply by connecting with one new person every day?

For the next seven days, challenge yourself to spark one genuine interaction each day. Smile at a stranger, offer a heartfelt compliment, ask a curious question or start a conversation with someone you might normally walk past.

Forget about having the perfect words. Focus on being present, curious and genuinely interested in the person in front of you.

You never know when a simple hello might brighten someone's day, open an unexpected door or become the beginning of something extraordinary.

What if your greatest achievement isn't what you accomplish, but what you inspire others to become?

On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, host Greg De Koker and co-host Wray Carvelas, CEO of Ascencia Group and JOY² Founding Title Sponsor, welcome Pierre Julien, former Executive Vice President of DRA Global, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, fulfillment, adventure and the lasting impact we have on others.

After more than four decades leading people and organizations in the global mining industry, Pierre shares a powerful realization: success and fulfillment aren't necessarily the same thing. Titles, achievements and financial rewards may mark a successful career, but the deepest joy often comes from helping others discover what they're capable of becoming.

Pierre reveals how recognizing untapped potential, understanding people's unique strengths and creating opportunities for them to thrive can transform careers, strengthen teams and leave a legacy that extends far beyond any job title.

Together, Greg, Wray and Pierre explore how curiosity, courage and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking open doors to extraordinary possibilities. Through personal stories of mentorship, adventure and unforgettable moments of joy, Pierre reminds us that a meaningful life isn't simply measured by what we achieve, but by the difference we make along the way.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why professional success doesn't always bring personal fulfillment

• How believing in someone's potential can change their life

• Why great leaders put people and their strengths first

• How curiosity, courage and adventure create new possibilities

• Why purpose and contribution are at the heart of lasting joy

• How turning ideas into action creates meaningful change

The most meaningful measure of leadership isn't how high you climb. It's how many people rise because you believed in them.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to JOY²

02:08 Meet Pierre Julien

05:24 Finding Joy Beyond Professional Success

09:23 The Fulfillment of Developing People

17:19 Overcoming Barriers to Joy at Work

19:22 Understanding People and Their Strengths

21:20 Finding the Right Roles for Your Team

23:50 Overcoming Negativity and Joy Blockers

29:19 Connecting Purpose to Meaningful Work

34:06 Memorable Moments of Joy

36:56 Don't Accept No Without Taking Action

37:13 Turning Insights Into Action

39:10 Final Reflections on Leadership and Joy

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 Wray Carvelas

Website: www.ascenciagroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ascencia-group-unleashing-tomorrow-s-leaders-today/

Connect with Pierre Julien:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrejulien1/

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

Ask yourself:

• Am I measuring success by what I achieve or the difference I make?

• Whose potential do I see that they may not yet recognize in themselves?

• Where could I embrace a new challenge or help someone else grow?

Action Tip

Think of one person whose potential you believe in. Reach out and tell them what you see in them. Offer encouragement, guidance or an opportunity that could help them grow.

Never underestimate the power of believing in someone before they fully believe in themselves.

As Pierre reminds us, our greatest legacy isn't necessarily what we build or achieve. It's the people whose lives are better because we were part of them.

What if joy isn't something you find when life finally gets easier, but something you can choose even when life is hard?

On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, host Greg De Koker sits down with Marie Armitage, Mindset & Confidence Coach and JOY² Founding Sponsor, for a deeply personal conversation about intentional joy, confidence, perspective and breaking free from the stories that quietly hold us back.

Marie shares why choosing joy doesn't mean ignoring grief, uncertainty or life's inevitable challenges. Happiness may rise and fall with our circumstances, but joy can run deeper, shaped by what we focus on, how we interpret our experiences and the choices we make in response.

Sometimes creating more joy starts surprisingly small: practicing gratitude, adding a little whimsy to your day or reconnecting with someone you love.

Greg and Marie also explore the invisible stories we carry about ourselves. Past experiences, other people's judgments and our own assumptions can become internalized limitations that feel like truth. By questioning those stories, recognizing our strengths and shifting our perspective, we can build confidence and create more ease in how we live, work and lead.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The important difference between joy and happiness

• How joy and grief can exist at the same time

• How internalized limitations quietly shape our choices

• Why questioning your own stories can unlock confidence

• How leaning into your strengths creates greater ease

• Why high achievers put so much pressure on themselves

• How boundaries and honest communication strengthen relationships

You don't have to wait until everything is figured out to experience more joy.

Sometimes it begins with a simple question:

What am I focusing on right now, and is there another way to see it?

Because changing your perspective doesn't mean denying what's difficult. It means creating enough space to see what else might also be possible.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to JOY²

00:02:10 Meet Marie Armitage

00:06:28 Choosing Joy Intentionally

00:08:21 Whimsy and Meaningful Connections

00:13:14 Grief, Loss and Health Challenges

00:15:05 Finding Joy Through Perspective

00:20:18 Overcoming Internalized Limitations

00:42:26 Reframing Limiting Beliefs

00:45:09 Why High Achievers Struggle

00:51:15 Gratitude and Self-Compassion

00:53:12 Shifting Your Perspective

00:56:17 Final Reflections: Put Joy Into Action

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 Marie Armitage:

Website: https://easejoycoach.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariebarringtonarmitage/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marie.armitage

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

Ask yourself:

• What am I focusing on right now, and how is it shaping my experience?

• What limitation have I accepted as truth without questioning it?

• Where could I allow a little more ease, playfulness or joy into my life?

Action Tip

The next time you feel overwhelmed or overly critical of yourself, pause and ask:

What perspective am I looking through? Is there another way to see this?

Then choose one small action: send the message, set the boundary, reconnect with someone, question an old belief or simply make room for something that brings you joy.

You don't have to deny what's difficult or force yourself to be happy.

You can acknowledge what's hard and still choose where you place your attention next.

What if flourishing isn't something that happens when life goes your way, but a skill you can practice and create?

On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker sits down with Emiliya Zhivotovskaya, CEO & Founder of The Flourishing Center, for an eye-opening exploration of what it really means to live well.

And it turns out flourishing isn't the same as being happy.

Emiliya challenges the idea that difficult emotions are problems to fix or eliminate. Instead, our emotions are information. They can help us understand what matters, what we need, and how we want to respond. The goal isn't to feel good all the time, but to develop the skills to navigate the full human experience and still live well.

And that includes joy.

Emiliya describes joy as an "underdeveloped muscle" that can be intentionally strengthened through practices like savoring, play and connection. Rather than waiting for joy to find us, we can create more opportunities to experience it.

Greg and Emiliya also take flourishing into the workplace, exploring why psychological safety, belonging and human connection matter far more than superficial perks, and why leaders have an opportunity to create environments where people can genuinely thrive.

But perhaps the conversation's most powerful idea is mattering: our fundamental need to know that who we are, what we do and how we show up in the lives of others actually matters.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why flourishing is fundamentally different from simply feeling happy

• How emotions can become information rather than obstacles

• Why joy is an "underdeveloped muscle" we can intentionally strengthen

• Why psychological safety is foundational to flourishing at work

• Simple ways to begin flourishing more today

Flourishing doesn't require a perfect life.

It asks something far more empowering:

What could I do today to flourish a little more, and help someone else flourish too?

Because joy isn't simply something we find.

It's something we practice, cultivate and share.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to JOY² – Live With Joy

00:02:02 What Does It Really Mean to Flourish?

00:09:00 Building the Skills of Well-Being

00:14:56 Understanding Emotions as Signals

00:28:13 Happiness vs. Joy

00:31:09 Training the Muscle of Joy

00:43:35 Why We Don't Teach the Skills of Flourishing

00:47:06 Mental Health as a Buildable Skill Set

00:54:51 How to Start Flourishing Today

01:00:28 Flourishing as Something We Can Practice

01:02:09 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

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 Emiliya Zhivotovskaya:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliyazhivotovskaya/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emiliyaz/

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

Grab a copy of “How We Flourish” here at https://theflourishingcenter.com/howweflourish

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

Ask yourself:

• Am I confusing feeling good with genuinely living well?

• Where could I intentionally create more opportunities for joy?

• Who in my life needs to know that they matter?

Action Tip

Don't try to "be happier" this week.

Instead, practice one skill of flourishing. Savor something you'd normally rush past. Play without needing a purpose. Reach out to someone you love. Or tell someone specifically why they matter to you.

Don't wait for life to become perfect.

Flourishing is something we can learn. Joy is something we can practice. And mattering is something we can give to one another.

What if creating a great workplace doesn't start with changing your employees, but with asking a much simpler question:

Would I want to work here?

On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, host Greg De Koker sits down with Richard Walker, CEO of Quik!, author and host of The Customer Wins podcast, for a refreshingly candid, insightful and seriously fun conversation about leadership, culture, relationships, well-being and joy.

Rich shares how his own pursuit of fulfillment shaped the culture at Quik! and why taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's essential if you want to show up fully for others. He explores leading by example, creating safety around mistakes, giving meaningful feedback and building relationships rooted in trust.

The conversation gets deeply personal as Rich shares his experience with burnout after losing 45% of his company's revenue and the lessons that helped him rebuild: taking care of his health, investing in meaningful relationships and creating a bigger vision for what could come next.

And somehow, between the leadership lessons, big ideas and plenty of laughter, Greg and Rich keep coming back to one simple truth: people matter.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why self-care enables leaders to better serve others

• Why great leaders model the behavior they expect

• How meaningful feedback strengthens people and teams

• Why family should come first

• The Golden Rule vs. the Platinum Rule

• Why shared values matter when building culture

• How Rich navigated burnout, setbacks and rebuilding

• Why a goal without action is merely a dream

Ultimately, great leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating an environment where people can thrive, customers can win and joy can grow.

When things get difficult, focus on what you can control. Take care of yourself. Invest in your relationships. Create a vision worth moving toward.

And then take action.

Because joy isn't something we simply find.

It's something we create, cultivate and pass on.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to JOY² – Live With Joy

00:01:34 Meet Rich Walker

00:05:55 Taking Care of Yourself Before Others

00:08:25 Building a Culture People Want to Be Part Ofa

00:18:06 Leading With Empathy & Putting Family First

00:21:00 The Golden Rule vs. The Platinum Rule

00:26:31 Building Customer Trust Through Culture

00:31:22 Hiring for Culture & Shared Values

00:33:42 Burnout, Setbacks & Rebuilding

00:36:44 The Three-Legged Stool of Happiness

00:38:24 Creating a Positive Ripple Effect

00:41:54 A Goal Without Action Is Merely a Dream

00:43:10 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

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 Richard Walker:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quikformsceo/

Website: https://www.quickforms.com/

Learn About The Customer Wins Podcast hosted by Richard himself:

https://www.quickforms.com/podcast-blog

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

Ask yourself:

• Am I modeling the behavior I expect from others?

• How do I respond when someone makes a mistake?

• Am I taking care of myself well enough to show up for others?

• What goal have I left as a dream because I haven't taken action?

Action Tip

Choose one relationship, goal or area of your life where you want more joy, and take one intentional step this week.

Have the conversation. Ask for feedback. Own the mistake. Make time for what matters. Take the first step.

Joy isn't something we simply find. It's something we create, cultivate and pass on.

What if becoming a better leader starts not with changing everyone around you... but with taking a harder look at yourself?

On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker and returning Co-host and Founding Title Sponsor Wray Carvelas sit down with Jonah Erbe, President of Leadership Management International (LMI), for a powerful conversation about leadership, accountability, purpose, faith and human potential.

Drawing on LMI's experience developing leaders across more than 80 countries, Jonah shares why meaningful leadership starts with genuinely caring about people, putting ego aside and leading by example. He explores the influence of mentors, why accountability becomes increasingly important as leaders gain influence, and why we all need people willing to tell us what we may not want to hear.

Together, Greg, Wray and Jonah explore how joy can coexist with pressure, why taking ownership restores our sense of agency, what really motivates people, and why genuine human connection matters. They also tackle loneliness, faith, fear of failure and why progress often begins by simply taking the next step.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why great leadership starts with genuinely caring about people

• How accountability and honest feedback make us better leaders

• Why we need people willing to expose our blind spots

• How small, intentional actions can create meaningful change

• How genuine connection strengthens people, teams and cultures

• How action and learning can take us further than overthinking

Ultimately, leadership isn't something we simply talk about. It's something we demonstrate.

Meaningful transformation rarely happens through one dramatic breakthrough. It happens when we look in the mirror, take responsibility, learn and keep moving forward... one intentional action at a time.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to JOY² – Live With Joy

00:01:51 Meet Jonah & Leadership Management International

00:09:07 The Highs, Lows & Ego of Leadership

00:20:39 Can Joy Coexist With Leadership Pressure?

00:23:02 The Importance of Accountability & Feedback

00:31:43 What Blocks Joy? Taking Ownership

00:41:06 Leadership, Loneliness & Workplace Connection

00:44:09 The Wheel of Life & Aligning Your Priorities

00:47:54 Overcoming the Fear of Failure

00:50:16 Turning Mistakes Into Lessons

00:51:49 Leadership, Influence & Service

00:53:16 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

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 Wray Carvelas

Website: www.ascenciagroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ascencia-group-unleashing-tomorrow-s-leaders-today/

Connect with Jonah Erbe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaherbe/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonah.erbe

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

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

Ask yourself:

• Where am I avoiding accountability?

• What's the 1% I can take ownership of?

• Who will tell me what I need to hear, not just what I want to hear?

• Does how I spend my time reflect what matters most?

• What action am I avoiding because I'm afraid of getting it wrong?

Action Tip

Choose one thing you've been overthinking and take one intentional step forward.

Ask for the feedback. Own your part. Have the conversation. Take the first step.

Then ask yourself:

"What might change if I stopped waiting to get it perfectly right... and simply started moving forward?"

Because leadership isn't built through intention alone.

It's built through action.

What if the obstacles and hardships in your life aren't roadblocks, but invitations to discover what's humanly possible?

On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker sits down with Vandana Puranik, founder of Active Ingredients and What She Said, bestselling author, TEDx speaker and brand strategist, for a deeply personal, wildly insightful and joy-filled conversation about resilience, curiosity and the power of thinking differently.

Vandana shares how extraordinary adversity, including cancer and a two-week coma, transformed the way she sees life, and why deliberate curiosity can change the way we navigate uncertainty, difficult conversations and life's toughest moments. Rather than simply accepting the meaning we give our experiences, she challenges us to get curious, reframe what's possible and focus less on solving problems and more on creating the outcomes we actually want.

In this episode, we explore:

• How deliberate curiosity can transform the way we approach challenges

• Why we can become brilliant at solving the wrong problems

• How reframing adversity can reveal new possibilities

• Why letting go can create space for what matters most

• How to become a “category of one”

• The power of intellectual humility and asking better questions

Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, creative thinker or simply navigating change and uncertainty, this conversation is an invitation to question what you think you know, get curious about what you don't, and discover what might be possible.

Because sometimes the breakthrough isn't found by working harder to solve the problem.

Sometimes it begins by seeing the problem differently... and asking a better question.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to JOY²

00:02:23 Meet Vandana Puranik

00:05:31 Choosing Joy Through Life's Challenges

00:09:50 The Two-Week Coma & the Power of Discovery

00:16:24 Practicing Deliberate Curiosity

00:25:24 The Power of “Might”

00:32:24 Letting Go, Focusing & Receiving

00:35:24 Finding Joy in Loss

00:37:20 The Role of Humor in Difficult Moments

00:42:15 Solve for the Outcome

00:46:37 Thinking Differently & Creating Impact

00:47:50 Your Circumstances Don't Have to Define You

00:48:12 Choosing Joy, Purpose & Curiosity

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 Vandana Puranik:

Website: www.thisiswhatshesaid.com

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

Business Instagram: www.instagram.com/activeingreds/

Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/vandanaspuranik/

Business Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089863683637&mibextid=LQQJ4d

X.com: https://twitter.com/activeingreds

Grab a copy of The Book of Might Book here at https://www.TheBookOfMIGHT.com

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

Ask yourself:

• Where could I replace frustration with curiosity?

• Am I solving the right problem?

• What meaning am I giving a difficult experience?

• What do I need to let go of?

• What makes me uniquely valuable?

Action Tip

Choose one practice this week:

• Pause during frustration and ask a curious question.

• Define the outcome you want before solving a challenge.

• Reframe a difficult experience by asking, “What else could this mean?”

• Admit something you don't know and learn from someone else.

Then ask yourself:

“What might become possible if I stayed curious a little longer?”

Because sometimes you don't need another answer. You need a different perspective, a better question and the courage to stay curious.

On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker sits down with acquisition entrepreneur, M&A advisor, author, strategist and Founder of the Fugleman Group, Afam Elue, for a thought-provoking conversation about entrepreneurship, wealth, joy and the legacy we leave behind.

What if the true measure of success isn't simply what you build... but why you're building it?

Afam shares how buying businesses can create extraordinary financial opportunity, while reminding us that the greatest wealth isn't measured only in dollars, but in purpose, relationships, freedom and the lives we impact.

Together, Greg and Afam explore why joy shouldn't be viewed as the reward for success, but the fuel that helps create it. They also discuss gratitude, emotional awareness, boundaries and intentional living, revealing how each shapes both personal fulfillment and long-term success.

One of the most memorable moments is Afam's remarkable story of acquiring a $2 million business despite having little money to invest, proving that creativity, relationships and courage can often matter more than capital.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why joy is fundamentally different from happiness

• Why joy can become the fuel for lasting success

• The surprising connection between boundaries and sustainable joy

• How acquisition entrepreneurship creates wealth by buying existing businesses

• The remarkable story behind a $2 million business acquisition that initially seemed impossible

• Why legacy is about far more than money and how to build something that outlives you

Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader or simply someone pursuing a more meaningful life, this conversation offers practical wisdom for creating success without sacrificing what matters most.

Because the greatest legacy isn't simply what you leave behind.

It's the people you impact while you're here.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to JOY²

00:02:06 Meet Afam Elue

00:12:42 Joy vs. Happiness

00:18:24 Creating Transformational Value

00:25:06 The Story Behind Afam's Legacy

00:34:24 Why Boundaries Matter

00:40:36 Focusing on One Thing at a Time

00:44:18 Moving Through What Blocks Joy

00:53:12 The Power of Acquisition Entrepreneurship

00:55:24 A $2 Million Acquisition Story

00:57:48 Preserving Legacy Through Succession

01:03:42 Building Better Futures & Generations

01:04:24 Choosing 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 Afam Elue:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afamelue/

Instagram: @therealafamelue

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/afam.elue

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

Ask yourself:

• Am I postponing joy until I achieve my next goal?

• Where could stronger boundaries create more energy and peace?

• What am I building today that will continue creating value after I'm gone?

Action Tip

Choose one practice this week:

• Begin or renew a daily gratitude habit.

• Give someone your full attention without distractions.

• Set one healthy boundary that protects your time or energy.

• Instead of resisting a difficult emotion, acknowledge it and move through it.

• Think beyond immediate success and identify one action that contributes to your long-term legacy.

Then ask yourself:

"Am I simply building success... or am I building something that truly matters?"

Because success isn't measured only by what you accumulate.

It's measured by the joy you experience, the lives you elevate, and the legacy you leave behind.

In this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker sits down with Happiness and Life Transition Expert, author, speaker, coach and Founder of Wiser & Free, Dana Hilmer, for a joy-filled conversation about freedom, reinvention, intentional living and giving yourself permission to choose a life that truly feels like your own.

Somewhere along the way, many of us traded "I choose" for "I should." We stay busy. We chase the next milestone. We convince ourselves that joy can wait until everything else gets done.

Dana offers a different path.

With warmth, wisdom and plenty of laughter, she reminds us that joy isn't something we stumble upon someday. It's something we create through the choices we make every single day, even in life's hardest seasons.

Together, Greg and Dana explore how our thoughts, expectations and stories quietly shape our lives, why creating space is often more powerful than doing more, and how a few simple mindset shifts can open the door to greater freedom, gratitude and joy.

In this episode, discover:

• Why "I should" may be stealing more joy than you realize

• How to create peace and gratitude during life's most difficult seasons

• How the stories you tell yourself become your reality

• How to let go of what no longer aligns with who you're becoming

• Dana's unforgettable "Compass Point" question for navigating life's biggest decisions

One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Dana shares the question she uses as her personal compass:

"How do I want to feel about myself and my life on my very last day?"

It's a beautifully simple question that has the power to reshape everyday choices, major life transitions and everything in between.

This episode is full of practical wisdom, joyful perspective and those unexpected little "aha!" moments that stay with you long after the conversation ends.

Because sometimes the biggest transformation begins with replacing just one word...

"I should."

...with...

"I choose."

🎁 Exclusive Offer for JOY² Podcast Listeners:

Dana Hilmer is offering a FREE copy of her workbook:

https://www.wiserandfree.com/happier

No e-mail required either. Just download it and enjoy.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to Joy Squared

00:02:15 Meet Dana Hilmer

00:07:06 Choosing Joy During Difficult Seasons

00:13:37 Letting Go of Control & Creating Space

00:18:48 Creating Small Moments to Look Forward To

00:25:33 Moving From “I Should” to “I Choose”

00:31:53 How You Begin Your Day Shapes Your Day

00:48:01 Using Feelings as a Filter for Decisions

00:57:52 Turning Insight Into Action

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 Dana Hilmer:

Website - https://www.wiserandfree.com/

Substack - Living Never Gets Old - https://danahilmer.substack.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danahilmer/

Facebook Group - Happy After 50 - https://www.facebook.com/groups/happyafter50

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dana.hilmer/

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

Ask yourself:

- What am I waiting for before allowing myself to experience more joy?

- Where am I still living from "I should" instead of "I choose"?

- What am I ready to let go of?

- How do I want to feel about my life?

Action Tip

This week, pause before making one decision. Create a little space. Replace one "I should" with "I choose." Notice one moment of joy you might normally rush past.

Sometimes a single intentional choice becomes the beginning of a completely different life.

On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, host Greg De Koker welcomes Founding Title Sponsor and Co-host Wray Carvelas, along with behavioral scientist Dr. Timothy Ludwig, for a fascinating conversation about the science of joy, leadership and human-centered workplaces.

What if the greatest competitive advantage in business isn't better strategy... but creating an environment where people genuinely thrive?

For more than three decades, Dr. Ludwig has helped organizations around the world apply behavioral science to strengthen leadership, improve safety and build healthier workplace cultures. Blending cutting-edge research with practical experience, he reveals how curiosity, psychological safety and genuine human connection unlock both performance and joy.

If you've ever felt trapped chasing constant achievement, stress or the next dopamine hit, this conversation offers a refreshing alternative. Together, Greg, Wray and Tim explore how leaders create extraordinary cultures by replacing control with curiosity, removing unnecessary barriers and helping people do their best work.

In this episode, we explore:

• Where behavioral science and joyful leadership intersect

• The difference between dopamine-driven success and lasting joy

• How quieting self-judgment unlocks presence and creativity

• How music, nature and human connection restore well-being

• Does happiness drive productivity... or does productivity create happiness?

This isn't simply a conversation about workplace performance.

It's an invitation to rethink leadership through a more human lens.

Because when we stop trying to control people and start helping them thrive, joy stops being a by-product of great leadership... and becomes one of its greatest drivers.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Welcome to JOY²

00:02:04 Meet Dr. Timothy Ludwig

00:06:48 Finding Joy Through Wonder

00:09:42 Stepping Away From Screens

00:12:45 The Default Mode Network

00:15:32 The Power of Frontline Connection

00:21:04 Science of Emotion & Action

00:26:18 Dopamine vs. Joy

00:34:38 Maslow’s Hierarchy Flipped

00:41:00 Music & Oxytocin

00:47:23 Disconnecting & Rejoining Nature

00:49:25 Rethinking Supervision & Closing

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 Wray Carvelas

Website: www.ascenciagroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ascencia-group-unleashing-tomorrow-s-leaders-today/

Connect with Dr. Timothy Ludwig

Website: https://www.appalachiansafetysummit.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tim-ludwig-ba247b1

LinkedIn Newsletter Insights into your Safety Culture:

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/insights-into-safety-culture-7003911139004747776/

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

Ask yourself:

• Am I chasing quick dopamine hits or creating moments of lasting joy?

• What everyday barriers are preventing my team from doing their best work?

• Am I leading with curiosity... or simply giving directions?

Action Tip

This week, choose one opportunity to lead differently:

• Step away from your desk and spend time where the work actually happens.

• Ask thoughtful questions and listen without judgment or assumptions.

• Express genuine appreciation for a contribution that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Then ask yourself:

"What becomes possible when I stop managing people... and start helping them thrive?"

Because true leadership doesn't simply produce better results.

It creates the conditions where people, performance and joy flourish together.