What happens when you pause long enough to see how much your life has changed? In Episode 237 of the Joy Found Here podcast, I’m reflecting on a year that transformed me in ways I never expected. This Thanksgiving episode is all about gratitude, healing, and the surprising power of letting yourself receive—especially if you’re a lifelong giver.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

(01:10) How one year shifted everything in my life

(02:05) The small sliver of hope that carried me through

(04:56) Why receiving with grace became my new practice

(06:39) Facing grief and holiday triggers with honesty

(08:30) How to ground yourself when emotions run high

(09:06) A holiday workshop for navigating loss and numbness

(11:40) A peek at what’s next for Joy Found Here

(15:19) My favorite mindset, wellness & shopping tools

(19:34) A closing reminder about joy and staying open

Last year was filled with loss, uncertainty, and heaviness. This year, I’m living a life I once only dreamed about: more freedom, more presence, more intention. I share how a small sliver of hope carried me through darker times, and why receiving with grace has become my new non-negotiable practice. And since the holidays can stir up grief and tenderness, I talk honestly about navigating those feelings and offer a helpful resource for anyone needing support.

I also give a quick look at what’s ahead—our upcoming merch launch, my favorite affiliate finds that truly help, and the gentle reminder that nothing is permanent and change is always possible.

Let's Connect:

Website

Instagram

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

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

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

What happens when your finances fall apart—and instead of breaking down, you rebuild the system that failed you? In episode 236 of Joy Found Here, Lacy Garcia, founder and CEO of Willow, shares how a personal financial crisis and single motherhood inspired her to redefine financial advising. With honesty and insight, she shows that true empowerment with money begins with empathy and education—not spreadsheets—and that taking control of your finances is really about reclaiming confidence, independence, and joy.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• When life “blew up” and money shame surfaced (04:13)
• Breaking the silence around women and money (04:38)
• Divorce, single motherhood, and a new mission (05:37)
• The three E’s: empathy, education, empowerment (07:20)
• Baby steps to build financial confidence (10:08)
• Busting money myths and budget guilt (15:57)
• Turning crisis into a company with purpose (16:52)
• Independence, relationships, and self-worth (29:24)
• Teaching kids the truth about money (35:54)
• Finding joy through financial clarity (43:05)

As the Founder and CEO of Willow, Lacy Garcia is redefining financial advising for women and next-generation investors. With over 15 years in wealth management, she saw how few advisors truly understand the emotional and cultural realities of money—especially for women and underrepresented groups. Through Willow, she built an award-winning platform focused on empathy, education, and empowerment, connecting clients with advisors who listen, guide, and build confidence without judgment. A proud Cuban-American and single mom, Lacy’s mission is to make financial confidence accessible to everyone—because wealth-building isn’t about privilege, it’s about awareness and action.

In this episode, Lacy shares how a mid-thirties financial crisis following divorce inspired her to create Willow and break the silence around women and money. She offers simple, sustainable steps—like automating savings, tracking expenses, and maximizing employer matches—and reminds listeners that it’s never too late to start. Together with Stephanie, she explores financial independence, teaching kids about money, and how neglecting self-care can cost more than dollars. Through her story, Lacy shows that taking control of your finances is one of the most powerful paths to freedom, confidence, and lasting joy.

Connect with Lacy Garcia:

• Trust Willow Website
• Willow Talk on YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

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

What if healing your body has less to do with food and more to do with your thoughts? In episode 235 of Joy Found Here, returning guest Natalia Garcia reveals why true wellness begins in the mind. A functional medicine practitioner and dietitian, she shares how awareness, self-compassion, and emotional regulation can transform health from the inside out—proving that when you shift within, your body follows.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The mind-body connection redefined (02:42)
• A divine download on joy and presence (04:01)
• Healing starts with awareness (08:49)
• Beyond meal plans and quick fixes (12:06)
• Reversing autoimmunity from within (17:51)
• Letting your inner compass lead (21:46)
• Spotting self-sabotage in daily habits (30:11)
• The mindset of true healers (32:39)
• Breaking the stress addiction (34:42)
• Consistency, compassion, and calm (39:44)

As a registered dietitian, licensed nutritionist, and functional medicine practitioner, Natalia Garcia helps people heal from the inside out. Through her practice, FN Wellness, she blends science-based nutrition with mindfulness and emotional awareness to address the root causes of imbalance in the gut, hormones, and mind. Her approach combines functional testing, personalized nutrition, and mindset work to help clients break free from limiting beliefs, regulate their nervous systems, and build a sustainable relationship with food and themselves. She believes true wellness begins within and that reconnecting with the body’s innate intelligence unlocks deep healing.

In this episode, Natalia shares a powerful message on joy, presence, and self-awareness, urging listeners to look beyond diets and quick fixes to the thoughts and emotions shaping their health. She explains how stress, negative self-talk, and unconscious habits keep people stuck—and how awareness, consistency, and compassion create lasting transformation. From autoimmune healing to mindset shifts, Natalia’s grounded wisdom reminds us that when we change within, everything else follows.

Connect with Natalia Garcia:

• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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