Two justice-driven leaders unpack burnout, self-trust, and saying no—before it’s too late.

What happens when two friends, former podcast co-hosts, and social justice warriors sit down to reflect on the evolution of their work, their identities, and their boundaries? Miranda McDaniel, founder of The Social Content Lab, and Noelle DeLaCruz, a school psychologist and LGBTQ+ advocate, share how their friendship shaped their podcast, The Unpacked Project, and how setting boundaries helped them navigate burnout, identity shifts, and a changing social justice landscape.

We talk entrepreneurship, self-trust, the weight of advocacy work, and how joy, rest, and aligned values can transform how we show up in the world.

🎧 Highlights:

• The physical toll of mission-driven work
• Pivoting careers without losing purpose
• Building spaces that reflect your values
• Friendship as a source of growth and accountability 

👯‍♀️ Fun fact: Miranda and Noelle met on a brew bus and bonded over the Cowboys and kayaking misadventures. Their chemistry is as real as their commitment to justice.

🔗 Mentioned:

1. The Unpacked Project: https://www.instagram.com/the_unpackedproject/  
2. The Social Content Lab:https://www.instagram.com/thesocialcontentlab/
3. Black Girl Bosses:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15kXKfgFfg/

Keywords

self-care, work-life balance, personal growth, podcast, mental health, conversation, engagement, learning, support, community

📂 Section Markers

01:35 Section 1: Friendship, Fatigue, and the Weight of Work

19:58 Section 2: Identity, Belonging, and Radical Self-Trust

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts

03:05 The Importance of Boundaries in Work

05:38 Friendship and Collaboration: The Podcast Journey

08:38 Navigating Social Justice Work

11:05 Evolving Perspectives on Advocacy

13:39 Setting Intentional Boundaries

15:25 Growing and Shifting with Intention

22:47 Radical Self-Trust and Energy Awareness

25:31 Navigating Career Transitions and Self-Trust

30:38 Values and Identity in Professional Life

34:08 The Impact of Friendship on Personal Growth

39:28 Joy, Rest, and Intentional Living

39:34 Finding Joy in Conversations and Community

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

•  "I had to learn radical self-trust. Listening to my body—and trusting what it’s telling me."– Miranda McDaniel
• "We box ourselves in all the time. Even when we know better, we still forget we have choices."– Noelle DeLaCruz
• "You don’t have to be at the protest to be in the movement. There are so many ways to do the work."– Miranda McDaniel
• "Our boundaries don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. We’re allowed to keep growing."– Noelle DeLaCruz
• "Why aren’t we creating community at work? That’s what makes people stay."– Miranda McDaniel

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to ⁠The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠@workisthirdlife⁠

A powerful reflection on agency, expectations, and how joy can show up when you stop performing for the world.

In this special bonus episode, Dr. Nicole Taylor is back totalk about boundaries—not as a buzzword, but as a practice rooted in self-awareness, intention, and truth. From learning how to say no without guilt, to embracing your own version of success, this is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt the pressure to shrink yourself to fit in.

What we explore:

• Why boundaries are personal, dynamic, and sometimes uncomfortable
• How society, family, and work culture shape our default responses
• Saying yes to yourself—even when it’s unpopular
• Rejecting performative belonging and workplace “family” culture
• Reclaiming your agency, joy, and daily victories

Keywords

boundaries, self-worth, societal expectations, personal agency, success, happiness, work-life balance, self-definition, empowerment, personal growth

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00  Redefining Boundaries and Personal Agency

04:10  Embracing Self-Care and Personal Choices

07:39  Navigating Societal Expectations and Personal Identity

13:37  Defining Success on Your Own Terms

18:45  Creating Inclusive Work Environments

21:41  The Importance of Accountability in Leadership

Quotes to remember:

•  “It’s easy for me to say yes to me. Probably too easy.”
• “Saying no to society’s expectations is one of the hardest things to do.”
• “Your happiness is on you—not your job.”
• “We become so inclusive that we become exclusive.”
• “My best looks different every day. Sometimes twice in the same day.”

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to ⁠The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠@workisthirdlife⁠

“What if your legacy isn’t how hard you worked—but how fully you lived?”

In this soulful and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Nicole Taylor and host Dawn Hunter unpack the stories we grow up with about work, productivity, and success. From childhood dreams of fashion design to reflections on race, rest, and resistance, Nicole shares how shoes, hair, color, and community are more than aesthetic choices—they’re declarations of freedom.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to express your whole self or questioned what legacy you want to leave, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:  

• The inherited narratives about work, success, and productivity

• Fashion, footwear, and the cultural meaning of shoes
• Self-expression through hair, clothing, and color
• The tension between purpose and paycheck
• Shifting from a hustle mindset to one of joy and abundance
• Finding wholeness through community and intentionality

Keywords

Black Girl Magic, Community, Legacy, Empowerment, Social Change, Fashion, Self-Expression, Productivity, Intentionality

📂 Section Markers

01:20 Section 1: Productivity, Purpose, and the Stories WeInherited

21:40 Section 2: Style, Self-Expression, and Black GirlMagic

39:43 Section 3: Time, Presence, and Living a Legacy of Joy

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00  Introduction and Reflections on Productivity

03:43  The Impact of Upbringing on Career Choices

06:39  Navigating Expectations and Dreams

09:32  The Significance of Shoes in Identity and Culture

12:13  Expressing Identity Through Fashion and Style

17:33  The Role of Hair and Makeup in Self-Expression

22:40  Seasonal Reflections and Life Balance

25:35  Finding Joy in Everyday Life

28:31  The Importance of Mindfulness and Awareness

31:09  Slowing Down and Appreciating Life

40:03  Constructive Feedback and Accountable Leaders

42:22  Navigating Career Challenges and Employment

44:17  Defining Legacy and Life's Purpose

53:26  Don't Take Time for Granted

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

• “Time is not promised. Consider how you spend every minute—now.”  
• “My legacy is that I enjoyed every day. That’s my Black girl magic."     
• “You don’t need your world to be perfect to help someone else in theirs.”  
• “Being still is a science. And joy is a form of freedom.” 

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to ⁠The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠@workisthirdlife⁠

If you’re overwhelmed with too many ideas and not enough time — this clip is your reminder: everything is not meant for you, and that’s okay.

In this bonus clip, Kimberly Green-Warren gets honest about the tension between being a dreamer and staying in your lane. We talk about having too many ideas, the challenge of saying no — especially to the people we love — and the gentle reminder we all need:

This is your permission slip to pause, to prioritize, and to stop chasing every spark.

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Kimberly: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/workisthird/episodes/Calligraphy--Sabbaticals--and-Saying-Yes-to-Joy-with-Kimberly-Green-Warren-e34jljs

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

💌 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief: www.thedawnlab.com

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

What do sabbaticals, calligraphy, and setting hard boundaries around your joy have in common? Kimberly Green-Warren shares how slowing down changed her life — and her work — for the better.

Kimberly is a serene force in public health, education, and creative wellness. In this episode, we talk about what it means to lead with intention, how her sabbatical changed her life, and why she’s fiercely protective of her joy, even when capitalism comes calling.

We also explore:

• Reflecting on rest through calligraphy and journaling
• Designing work around your energy, not the other way around

• Public health and the power of default behaviors

• Honoring your past and future selves

• Why taking breaks is a leadership strategy

This conversation is grounding, generous, and full of quiet power. Kimberly reminds us that rest is not an afterthought, it’s a creative tool.

Keywords

Boundaries, Calligraphy, Art, Mental Health, Education, Self-care, Sabbatical

📂 Section Markers

01:40 Section 1: Holding Perspective: Gratitude, Friendship, and Flow

15:22 Section 2: Designing Your Life in Your Zone of Genius

30:11 Section 3: Ink, Intention, and the Art of the Sabbatical

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00  Introduction and Connection

05:31  The Impact of COVID on Perspective

10:37  Zone of Genius and Entrepreneurship

16:13  Public Health Perspectives and Personal Choices

28:48  Living Your Best Life

34:20  Finding Flow Through Creativity

44:03  The Power of a Sabbatical

50:31  Gratitude and Perspective in Life Choices

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

•  "When you feel well, it gives you the agency to live the life that you desire."
• "I love calligraphy as an art form... and I don’t want capitalism to take that away."
• "If you give me the time and space, I will bring it to life, but I’m not going to rush it. I trust the timing of my life."
• "I’m just always holding perspective in my hand and just constantly thinking about the future and also the past and the value of right now."

🔗 Important Links

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlygreenwarren/
• Website:  https://www.smarthealthedu.com/
• Book: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

• Kimberly's calligraphy website: https://www.letteredbylola.com/  
• NPR podcast: "How I Built This" with Guy Raz
• Book: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

Saying yes to everything doesn’t make you successful—it makes you tired.

Hillary Van Dyke wears many hats—professor, filmmaker, nonprofit leader, and podcast host—but her story is ultimately one of intentional living. In this episode, we talk about the power of place-based education, the emotional weight of overcommitment, and how she's learning to reclaim time, joy, and energy as she enters her 40s.

We also discuss:

• Setting boundaries around guilt and obligation
• Travel as both joy and exhaustion
• The beauty of saying “maybe later” instead of “yes” too soon
• How relationship, rest, and career goals are reshaping her calendar
• The deep lessons found in cemeteries, memorials, and history

Hillary reminds us that we don’t have to earn rest—and that sometimes, sitting on the couch really is the revolution.

Keywords

Balance, Rest, Boundaries, Travel, Education, Cemeteries, Self-care, Personal Growth, Community, Documentary

📂 Section Markers

01:01 Section 1: Exploring and Learning

14:35 Section 2: Navigating Overcommitment

29:14 Section 3: Reassessing Priorities and Aligning Values

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Personal Check-In

02:10 Travel Experiences and Their Impact

04:15 Balancing Work and Personal Life

07:51 Exploring Professional Roles and Projects

12:23 The Importance of Place-Based Education

16:39 Strategies for Managing a Busy Schedule

20:49 Navigating Overcommitment and Decision Making

23:23 The Impact of Travel on Personal Well-being

27:49 Aligning Commitments with Personal Values

28:47 Reassessing Priorities and Energy Management

32:03 Finding Joy and Overcoming Guilt in Rest

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

• "Is this actually adding any value to my situation to be a part of this, or am I doing this out of guilt? Or am I doing this because I want to do it? "
• "The version of me who says yes is never the same version who has to show up."
• "One thing a day. Zero is even better."
• "Guilt often drives us to overcommit."

🔗 Important Links

• Resting Places, Learning Spaces, https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/resting-places-learning-spaces-podcast/id1798217066Website, https://hillaryvandyke.com
• Green Book of Tampa Bay, https://www.greenbooktb.com/
• IG: @professorvandyke

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

What if helping someone meant not fixing it for them?

In this powerful reflection, Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster shares what she’d tell her younger self—and it’s not just about being fierce or fearless. It’s about trusting your own light and giving others space to find theirs. Because sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is step back and let someone live their own story.

“Getting stuck is part of being human. Staying stuck is a choice.”

“You don’t have to dim your light to make others comfortable.”

This one’s for the helpers, the healers, the leaders, and the people who feel too much. 💛

Keywords

Travel, Joy, Empathy, Authenticity, Leadership, Cultural Immersion, Personal Growth, Self-Discovery, Emotional Intelligence, Life Advice

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

What does it mean to lead with joy, even in the middle of a cancer diagnosis, workplace stress, and cultural pressure to overwork?

In this episode of Work is Third, Dawn Hunter is joined by Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster, leadership coach, cancer warrior, and unapologetic joy-seeker. They share their personal stories of survival, the healing power of Zumba, the importance of boundaries at work, and what it takes to lead ourselves first so we can lead others well.

🎧 Topics Include:

• The difference between joy and happiness
• Why intuition matters for your health
• How to protect your energy in tough seasons
• Leadership lessons from chemo chairs and Caribbean vacations
• The cultural roots of hustle and how we unlearn them
• What "Work is Third" really means

This isn’t just a conversation. It’s a movement. Let’s reclaim our time, our joy, and our power.

Keywords

Joy, Wellbeing, Cancer Warrior, Self-care, Leadership, Boundaries, Unlearning, Work-life Balance, Personal Growth, Mental Health

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Embracing Joy in Daily Life

02:42 The Joy of Survival

07:10 Navigating Cancer Treatment and Work

12:18 Finding Balance

16:03 Prioritizing Health and Wellness

20:51 Modeling Healthy Leadership

24:44 Creating a Supportive Work Culture

31:03 The Culture of Work and Time Off

31:58 Encouraging Time Off and Team Support

34:44 Power, Control, and Leadership

36:55 Lessons on Rest and Joy from Childhood

39:01 Unlearning Productivity Myths

44:27 Work is Third: Prioritizing Life Beyond Work

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

• “You either fight or fold. And I said—I'm not folding.”
• “Doing nothing is doing something. Rest is worthy of my time.”
• “We are modeling the behavior we say we support—so make sure they match.”
• “Your platform is where you get paid. But your purpose? That’s your gift.”

🔗 Important Links

• Website: www.leidoswel.com
• Order the Book Navigating Rough S.E.A.S: www.navigatingroughseas.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toniciaff/
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/leidoswel/
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/LEIDOSWEL
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.toniciafreeman-foster7600
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drtoniciafreemanfoster

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

What if being “frazzled” is actually a sign you’re doing life right?

In this episode of Work is Third, Dr. Linsey Grove joins host Dawn Hunter for a joyful, insightful, and hilarious conversation about growing up in rural Michigan, navigating challenges at Ladies Rock Camp, finding creativity in unexpected places, and why she never thought she’d be a business owner. They talk about the power of third spaces, the myth of productivity, and the risks that change our lives. Plus: Godzilla, smutty fantasy books, and why bats are awesome.

Keywords

boundaries, creativity, entrepreneurship, community, joy, public health, self-care, work-life balance, personal growth, risk-taking

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Boundaries and Consent: Lessons from Ladies Rock Camp

06:30 The Importance of Third Spaces: Community and Connection

11:26 Creativity and Magic: Embracing Artistic Expression

17:53 Embracing Change: Evolving Interests and Passions

23:25 Empowerment through Entrepreneurship: Values and Impact

30:00 Reflecting on Risks: Personal Growth and Consulting

32:41 Rapid Questions: Yes, No, and Maybe

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

•  “I can write songs and it’s not a side hustle. It’s not for money. It’s just because it feels good.”
• “Not all volunteering is self-care.”
• “Work doesn’t have to be first. And it definitely doesn’t have to be forever.”
• “Capitalism will not make me feel bad about not being productive 24/7.”

🔗 Important Links

Viral Podcast: History. Health. Humor.

"Why Third Places are Essential to Creating Community in Modern Society" Closure of 'Third Places'? Exploring Potential Consequences for Collective Health and Wellbeing

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

"You are not responsible for greatness."

In this bonus clip from Work is Third, Megan Albertson reflects on how her relationship to work, boundaries, and purpose has evolved over time. What does it mean to stay connected to your mission without becoming emotionally undone by it? What happens when the work you love starts to fall apart?

Megan shares:

• How her default “hard no” turned into a year of “maybe”

• The tension between loving community and needing solitude

• The lessons she’s learning about surrender, emotional exposure, and loss

• What she would tell her younger self entering the workforce

And in true Megan fashion, it ends with warmth, insight, and a reminder that you are not responsible for greatness — only for taking the next beautiful step that is yours to take.

Keywords

social dynamics, personal boundaries, work-life balance, self-discovery, emotional labor, surrender, personal growth, introversion, community engagement, life lessons

💬 Quotes

• “You are not responsible for greatness. You just have to take the next beautiful step that is yours.”

• “I don’t know that I had a boundary for not letting the losses affect my person.”

• “Last year I had a year of maybe. That was a big step.”

• “Find a way in, not a way out.”

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Joyful Rebellion Newsletter

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife