She Chose Joy with Melanie

• Michelle Herndon: Send Love Into Your Day

  This dialogue highlights the significance of creating meaningful connections and the joy that comes from building impactful connections and fostering a culture of inclusion within personal and professional relationships. They discuss the power of rituals and micro habits to guide you through each day and the beautiful connection between your physical environmentand your energy. Chapters00:00 Welcome01:27 A Word From Our Sponsor02:27 Soulful and Corny Connections03:24 Space to Feel06:36 Set the Tone for Your Day11:25 Send Loving Energy Into Your Day15:13 Rituals to Guide Your Day21:18 My Soul Nest is my Sanctuary  26:07 Beauty Through the Pain31:17 Follow Your Energy to Find Your Moments36:29 Natural Authentic Connection44:41 When Things No Longer Fit50:23 Still Relevant After 5053:15 Appreciating Relief55:29 Simple Pleasures in Choosing Yourself59:43 What Wants to be Awakened Within You More about Michelle Herndon Michelle Herndon is a prominent leader in her industry. She is best known for her meaningful insights, mentorship andleadership.  Michelle began her career in hospitality at the famed Patina restaurant in Los Angeles.  A very special time in the culinary world which has had great impact on her personal and professional life. Before joining BOKA Restaurant Group, Michelle had an illustrious career including time spent in HR staffing, Diversity & Inclusion training for Limited Brands. Over the last decade Michelle has enjoyed a successful relationship with BOKA Restaurant Group as Director of PrivateEvents. Michelle has collaborated and created revenue generating private events programs for six restaurant openings for BOKA in the Chicago area. She is currently the Director of Culture + Community for BOKA Group, where she is furthering diversity programs and services within the company-including creating and leading mentorship program for People of Color and within the LGBTQ+ community. She is known for her ability to bridge differences and create impactful connections within her company. She leads the recruiting department for the entire group, where identifying diverse talent while ensuring equity is her company’s mission.  Michelle graduated from the University of Illinois/University of Barcelona and received a Bachelor of Arts, Spanish. She hasalso earned her Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University. She additionally spends time professional lifestyle coaching for her currently growing project SoulNest. Connect with MichelleInstagram @TheMichelleHerndon A Moment of Gratitude for our sponsor.⁠ Michele AikensConnect with Melanie⁠⁠Work with Melanie⁠⁠Download Joy Journal⁠⁠⁠⁠Radical Love Book

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• Emmy Beeson: Releasing Toxic Productivity

  Melanie Foote-Davis and Emmy Beeson explore the conceptof toxic productivity and its impact on personal and professional wellness.Emmy shares her journey from a high-pressure leadership role to embracing mindfulness and self-care, emphasizing the importance of creating conditionsfor growth and collaboration in leadership. They discuss the significance of rest, emotional health, and the need for leaders to model healthier behaviors.The conversation highlights practical tools for finding joy and gratitude in everyday life, ultimately advocating for a more harmonious and aligned approach personally and professionally. Chapters00:00 Embracing Change: The Passage of Time04:03 Awareness and Decision-Making: A Shift inPerspective08:04 Toxic Productivity: Breaking Free from the Cycle11:01 Recognizing Patterns: The Body's Signals14:03 Creating Healthier Work Environments17:00 Mindfulness and Presence: The Gift of Awareness20:07 Leadership and Cultural Expectations: A NewApproach23:16 Transformative Experiences: Learning from Nature26:20 Creating Conditions for Success: IntentionalLeadership36:27 Unraveling the Knots: A Journey to Freedom41:21 Listening to the Body: The Importance of Awareness46:39 Creating Conditions for Growth: Leadership andResponsibility01:00:50 Finding Joy and Gratitude: Embracing the Present01:08:25 Building Safe Spaces: Nurturing Relationships More about Emmy Beeson Emmy Beeson is an executive leadership coach with over 20 years of experience guiding middle and senior-level leaders to navigate change, lead with authenticity, and build high-performing teams. As a former CEO and Superintendent in both K-12 and Career Technical Planning Districts, Emmyunderstands the complexities of leadership — from managing multi-million dollar budgets to balancing community expectations — and brings that real-worldinsight into her coaching practice.  Emmy specializes in helping leaders grow their personal andprofessional wellness while building practical strategies for time management, delegation, and organizational change. Emmy is a Board Certified Coach with an Executive Leadership Coaching Certification from Bellevue University.  Her background in career-technical education gives her a unique perspective on bridging the gap between education and industry, helping leaders create meaningful change that lasts. Emmy’s passion lies in uncovering shared visions, building capacity for growth, and supporting leaders in embracingtheir authenticity.  ​Emmy holds degrees and licenses from Ohio Dominican University, the University of Findlay, and Ashland University. Whether guiding executives through organizational transformation or helping individuals rediscover theirpurpose, she is committed to equipping leaders with the skills and mindset to thrive.   Connect with EmmyEmmy Beeson, The Change CoachEmmy’s The Toxic Productivity Culture blogLinkedin.com/in/emmy-beesonA Moment of Gratitude for our sponsor.⁠ Michele AikenConnect with Melanie⁠⁠Work with Melanie ⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Joy Journal⁠⁠⁠⁠Radical Love Book

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• Barbara Burgess: Navigating Boundaries

  In this enlightening conversation, Melanie Foote-Davis and Barbara Burgess explore the themes of self-discovery, joy, and the importance of setting boundaries. Barbara shares her journey of embracing 'enough' and how simple moments, like achalk experience with children, can lead to profound insights. They discuss the power of giving and receiving, the challenges of perfectionism, and the art of saying no to create space for what truly matters. The conversation emphasizes the importance of authenticity, gratitude, and choosing joy in everyday life, encouraging listeners to embrace their own journeys of self-discovery and connection. Chapters00:00 The Chalk Experience: A Journey Begins09:27 The Power of Play and Connection14:55 Gracious Giving: Gives Back to the Giver21:36 Courageously Vulnerable30:36 Navigating Relationships and Boundaries37:09 Embracing Imperfection and Growth38:19 Sovereignty and Personal Authority41:18 The Allure of Authentic Experience46:28 Navigating Boundaries: The Power of No51:39 Audit Your Energy Inventory57:55 Delightfully Be With Other Human Beings More About Barbara BurgessBarbara Burgess is an author, mother, executive, and unapologetic dark-chocolate lover who’s embraced the beautiful messiness of life. She founded Corluma (cor =heart, luma = light), a Chicago-based consulting firm, wrote and performed a one-woman show “The Extraordinary Experience of Being Ordinary” and most recently wrote her first book, Enough: Finding Peace in a World of Distractions, Hustle, and Expectations.Known for her humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom, Barbara shares simple shifts to help people remember they are enough and have enough. Her ego is kept in healthy check by two teenage children and career adventures that includedselling candy bars for Nestle Foods, launching Grainger into internet commerce, a brief marketing stint at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and most recently overseeing operations, marketing, and finances as the COO of a non-profit. Like all of us, Barbara says, she’s still figuring it out. Connect with BarbaraWebsite: www.corluma.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barbaraburgess1Book: www.beenough.com A Moment of Gratitude for our sponsor.⁠ Michele Aiken Use code MELANIE to Save Connect with MelanieLinkedin  Instagram YouTube⁠⁠Work with Melanie ⁠⁠⁠⁠Download FREE Joy Journal⁠⁠⁠⁠Radical Love Book

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• Michele Aikens: Rise Beyond 50: Radiant, Relevant & Reinventive

  In this engaging conversation, Melanie Foote-Davis and Michele Aikens explore the themes of creativity, and the power of words. They discuss how societal expectations can limit our potential and the importance of embracing our inner compass. The conversation emphasizes that it's never too late topursue dreams, the significance of slowing down for self-reflection, and the need to challenge the 'at least' mentality. They also highlight the wisdom that comes with aging and the potential for new beginnings. Ultimately, the discussion encourages listeners to reclaim joy and freedom at any age and to create a legacy of possibilities. Chapters00:00 Creativity Ignited04:14 Words as Creative Tools06:33 Align Actions to Your Vision07:24 From Limitations to Possibilities10:18 Navigating the Inner Compass13:16 The Weight of Irrelevance16:10 Disrupting Complacency19:11 The Power of At Least23:16 Connecting to Purpose26:10 Rediscovering Creativity28:39 When Your Dreams Keep Calling29:16 The Importance of Reflection31:10 Your Inner Compass is Guiding Your Path33:58 When We Risk Losing Connection35:31 Stillness Offers Access to Your Leader Within40:17 Trust the Beauty and Power of Rest43:10 It's Never Too Late: Embracing Age and Possibility51:00 Contributions to the World: Beyond Material Success54:17 Healing Through Possibilities58:10 Reclaiming Joy and Freedom More about Michele AikensMichele Aikens, MA, ACC is the CEO & Lead Coach of Clear Sight Coaching & Consulting, Inc., a certified professional coach, and a credentialed member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). With a background in leadership,executive women’s coaching, team development, and transition coaching, Michele helps individuals and organizations navigate challenges with insight, empathy,and humor. She has worked with leaders from organizations including Chief, McDonald’s, The Obama Foundation, ThredUp, and U.S. Cellular.Beyond her coaching expertise, Michele is a transformational speaker and facilitator, helping individuals gain clarity, unlock their potential, and move toward their purpose. As an author of five books and three dramatic plays, she uses storytelling to inspire growth and change. Her life mission is to “turn onlights for people so they can see that what is in them is greater than what is around them.”Michele holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. She is certified by the World Business Executive Coaches (WBECs) and the Global Team Coaching Institute (GTCI) as a team coaching practitioner. She is married to Nate Aikens, and they are the proud parents of two adult children. Connect with [email protected] A Moment of Gratitude for our sponsor,Michele Aikens Use code MELANIE to save Connect with MelanieLinkedin  InstagramYouTube ⁠⁠Work with Melanie ⁠⁠⁠⁠Download FREE Joy Journal⁠⁠⁠⁠Radical Love Book

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• Jae Gibbs: Medicine in the Slowness

  This is a heartfelt invitation to explore the profound impact of slowing down and becoming present. Melanie and Jae Gibbs delve into the healing power of mindfulness and the wisdom found in stillness. Discover how embracing the present moment can lead to deeper connections with ourselvesand others. Learn practical ways to integrate this practice into your daily practice. Tune in for an enriching conversation that encourages you to find the medicine in slowness. Embrace the joy of being truly present.  Chapters00:00 Connection Through Somatic Training02:49 The Power of Space Holding05:48 Exploring the Depth of Somatic Work08:23 The Importance of Slowing Down11:17 The Medicine in Slowness14:41 Honoring Ancestral Connections35:22 Understanding Trauma and Family Dynamics37:48 The Role of Community in Healing41:244 Connecting with Ancestry and Heritage43:52 The Power of Movement and Expression46:48 Gratitude and Connection49:35 Choosing Joy Amidst Life's Challenges53:14 Grief as a Portal to Joy56:36 The Gift of Connection and CommunityMore about Jae GibbsJae is a Space Holder and Somatic Companion, deeply devoted to our individual and collective freedom, through re:membering the healing and empowering embOdiment lineAges alive within us. Jae’s approach is person-centred, trauma-sensitive, ancestrally-anchored and shaped through a decolonising lens. Her practice honours each person asresourceful, creative and whole, beyond what can be seen with our eyes or spoken with our mouths. Jae offers one toone body-oriented coaching and group explorations cultivating rituals of rest, rites of being and paths of play. She supports wisdom seekers and cycle changers to re:member your truest essence and explore ways to become grounded in the guidance of your whole being. Connect with Jae OurLivingTree.co.uk Instagram: @our_living_tree A Moment of Gratitude for our sponsor.⁠ Michele AikenUse code MELANIE to Save Connect with MelanieLinkedin  Instagram⁠⁠Work with Melanie ⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Joy Journal⁠⁠⁠⁠Radical Love Book

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