JOY Unfiltered: Joy is the strategy

Joy Unfiltered is the podcast where joy gets real, grounded, and useful.Hosted by Rachel Bents, author of Joy Is the Strategy, this show explores joy not as a reward you earn, but as a practical strategy for living, leading, and feeling better in real life.Each week, you’ll hear honest conversations, solo reflections, and guest episodes that unpack how joy impacts leadership, wellbeing, resilience, mindset, and connection without bypassing hard things or pretending life is perfect.This podcast is also the heartbeat of two growing movements:📘 Joy Is the Strategy (the book) A deeper exploration of how joy works, why it matters, and how choosing it can change your life and leadership. ✨ The Joy Project A global, joy-first community built on connection, conversation, and collective momentum. If you’re tired of hustle culture, burned out on forced positivity, or curious what changes when joy becomes the way forward, you’re in the right place.Joy isn’t the reward.It’s the strategy.

JOY Unfiltered: Joy is the strategy is a education podcast hosted by Rachel, with 70 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Rachel hosts JOY Unfiltered: Joy is the strategy, a education show with 70 episodes published.

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  Episode #71

  Guardrails, Guidelines, and Joe's Joyful Journey with Joe Wyrwas

  Jul 26, 202654 min

  This week Rachel sits down with Joe Wyrwas - leadership coach, tech executive, and licensed skydiver - for a conversation that moves from free-falling at 120 mph to the everyday practices that build trust on a team. Joe walks us through his path from being terrified of heights to becoming a licensed skydiver with 700 jumps, and what that journey has taught him about leadership. He shares the concept of "guardrails and guidelines" - a framework straight out of his skydiving training - and why naming the guardrails for your team actually builds trust instead of breaking it. He also talks about the harder skill underneath it all: letting go, and trusting your people to fly on their own even when they'd do it differently than you would. The conversation takes a fascinating turn into data when Joe explains why he tracked every single minute of his life for four years and what finally made him stop. It's not the tracking that changes anything, he says, it's the awareness, and eventually, the willingness to actually act on it. That leads into a discussion of performance versus clarity, and why so many teams right now - especially around AI adoption - are measuring the wrong things entirely. Rachel and Joe also get into what it looks like to lead without a title, starting with genuine curiosity about what other people care about and why they're in the room. Joe breaks down what "intentional feedback" really means, beyond just being direct with someone, and shares how he and his team at Anthem Engineering cultivate joy and fun at work on purpose - including a personalized gift tradition that shows people they're truly known. The episode closes with Joe's theme for the year, Joe's Joyful Journey, and his reminder that joy tends to show up in the small, ordinary moments rather than the big ones. Mentioned in this episode: Hobie Youth Leadership, the program Joe has volunteered with for 13 years; Succeed by Heidi Grant Halverson, his book recommendation on goal setting; Greg De Koker and his podcast Joy Squared, the source of the "laughter in the hallway" question; and Living with a SEAL by Jesse Itzler, Rachel's reference on time awareness. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn, where he posts leadership content several times a week - DM him the word "joy" to let him know you found him through this episode for a special surprise. Learn more about his work at Wiser with Joe. If this episode gave you a little more joy today, share it with someone who needs it — and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #70

  The Bear Isn't in the Room: Imposter Syndrome, Inner Critics & Transformation with Kurt Bush

  Jul 13, 202648 min

  Kurt Bush is a certified Internal Family Systems practitioner, trauma-informed coach, and co-founder of Brimstone Coaching Group. With a background spanning corporate leadership, pastoral ministry, and coaching, Kurt helps leaders break free from self-doubt, embrace authenticity, and lead with confidence. Having overcome his own struggles with imposter syndrome, he's passionate about guiding others through transformational growth into authentic leadership. Through Brimstone's E + R = T approach (Encounter + Reflection = Transformation), Kurt equips individuals and teams to move from exhaustion and frustration to clarity and wholeness. He's also co-host of the Brimstone Coaching Podcast and co-author of Live Fully, Lead Authentically. In This Episode: Why imposter syndrome almost always comes down to fear of a threat — one the nervous system still believes is real, even when it isn't Kurt's own "F-R-A" story: a third-grade spelling bee mishap that quietly wrote a lifelong rule — never look dumb in front of people — and still shows up at the conference table decades later How our bodies give us physical cues (hot ears, a quivering chin, a knotted stomach) before our minds catch up, and why noticing those cues is the first step to interrupting the pattern Why real-time noticing is hard at first — and why catching a reaction a day later is still meaningful growth, not failure The "prayer of examen," an early-church reflection practice Kurt and his partner draw on, adapted into simple, shame-free daily questions Brimstone's Encounter + Reflection = Transformation framework, and the exact questions to ask after a moment that surprised you: What happened? Who was there? What did I feel? What did I do? What would I do differently next time? The difference between imposter syndrome and the inner critic — and why the inner critic isn't always the enemy; sometimes it's pointing at a real growth edge The often-invisible link between performance and self-worth, and how culturally we default to "what do you do?" as a first question Naming your inner critic (Rachel's is "Gertrude") as a practical, IFS-aligned way to relate to that voice instead of being run by it Better opening questions than "what do you do?" — including "what do you do for fun?" and simply being present enough to actually listen to the answer The distinction between curiosity and wonder, and how asking "how" or "what" questions (instead of "why") can unlock more spacious thinking in coaching conversations Key Quotes: "Fear based on a threat that's not actually there — often, yes." "My nervous system doesn't know that. It's just trying to keep me safe. It's just doing what it does best." "Most of us have the agency and the empowerment then to say, I'm gonna take some steps to make that different." "There's a tendency, especially in the Midwest, to want to be tough and grind through on our own... you're not alone." Try This: The Encounter + Reflection Practice Brimstone's simple, shame-free framework for turning a hard moment into growth: Notice the encounter — any moment where you were shocked, lashed out, or showed up in a way that surprised or didn't align with how you wanted to Ask what happened — literally, pen and paper: who was there, what did you feel, what did you do (just the facts, no judgment) Look for threads — do the same people, feelings, or situations keep showing up? That's a clue to something deeper Decide what's next — ask what you'd do differently when the encounter happens again, because it will Resources & Links Mentioned: Book: Live Fully, Lead Authentically by Kurt Bush and Chris (Brimstone Coaching Group) Website: brimstonecoachinggroup.com (free, no-obligation conversations available) Podcast: The Brimstone Coaching Podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #69

  Plant Seeds for Trees You'll Never Sit Under: Leadership, Legacy & Your Story with Andrew Brummer

  Jul 9, 202642 min

  Andrew Brummer is the COO of Industry Technologies, founder of My Story Told, and co-founder of Veridae. Known by many as "the business polygraph," he has a gift for helping leaders see what's real before small issues become big risks. His work sits at the intersection of leadership, AI, operational discipline, and human truth — using technology to extend disciplined thinking, never to replace it. Andrew is the author of You Decide and Leading Magnanimously, and his career spans technology, finance, manufacturing, education, energy, and global business across Africa, Europe, the UK, and North America. Originally from South Africa, he brings a grounded, deeply human approach to leadership, helping people speak hard truths and build organizations that can grow without losing trust, culture, or soul. In This Episode: The guiding phrase behind Andrew's life and work: "Plant seeds that will grow trees you may never sit under" Why Andrew sees his role as helping people find and water their own "mustard seed" — not handing them someone else's How a curious, wandering career across banking, contracts, product development, HR, sales, and investing gave Andrew the pattern-recognition to become a trusted advisor Authentic networking: showing up with no agenda, listening without trying to sell, and why that's what actually grows a network (Andrew grew from 1,200 to 10,000+ LinkedIn connections in two years by living this out) What You Decide and Leading Magnanimously actually walk readers through — practical, hands-on operator guides rather than theory The 2024 pivot: how a near-collapse at his company forced Andrew to build a personal brand from scratch at 53, and why patience and self-grace were essential to that journey The "right foot first" morning ritual — how the first 30–40 seconds out of bed set the tone for the whole day, and why that's a choice separate from yesterday's pain Andrew's philosophy of small, compounding behavioral change (20 minutes today, 23 tomorrow, 24 the next day) rather than one grand transformation The heart of My Story Told: using AI — without hallucination or invention — to turn a person's own words, recordings, journals, and content into a real, told story, book, or course before it's lost Why everyone has "earned the right to tell their story" simply by having lived it, and what that means for legacy, grandchildren, and the stories we lose when someone passes Key Quotes: "Plant seeds that will grow trees you will never sit under." "Where your head is at and where you apply your energy tomorrow morning is completely in your hands." "It's not because of the scars. It's because of my choice of how I allow those scars and those challenges to influence the next 30 seconds of my morning." "Anybody who has already lived, they've already earned the right to tell their story." Try This: The Right-Foot-First Ritual Andrew's simple daily reset, in his own words: Choose before you rise — in the first 30–40 seconds after waking, decide what kind of day this will be, before the day decides for you Separate the story from the scars — acknowledge that yesterday's pain is real without letting it write today's script Start small — aim for just a few minutes of this mindset tomorrow, then a few more the next day; consistency compounds Be graceful with yourself — hold yourself accountable, but with the same kindness you'd offer your own kids or parents Resources & Links Mentioned: Book: You Decide Book: Leading Magnanimously Upcoming book: I Decided (Andrew's forthcoming account of his 2024 pivot) Website: andrewbrummer.com Service: My Story Told — mystorytold.ai Companies: Industry Technologies, Veridae Mentoring platform mentioned: pushfarnadp/list.org (pro bono global mentoring) Connect with Andrew: Website: andrewbrummer.com My Story Told: mystorytold.ai LinkedIn: Andrew Brummer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #68

  You Are Not Powerless: Joyful Advocacy with Cynthia Changyit Levin

  Jul 8, 202659 min

  Cynthia Changyit Levin is the author of From Changing Diapers to Changing the World and Advocacy Made Easy: How to Turn Civic Frustration into Powerful Action. A nonpartisan activist and coach, she helps volunteers of all ages build productive, relationship-centered relationships with members of Congress. She serves on the board of CARE Action, has held leadership roles with the RESULTS Educational Fund, and volunteers with the ONE Campaign, Bread for the World, Moms Demand Action, MomsRising, and the Shot@Life campaign. In 2021 she received the Cameron Duncan Media Award from RESULTS Educational Fund for her activism and written media. In This Episode: How becoming a mom in her 30s — and a frightening first week of breastfeeding struggles — cracked Cynthia's world open and became her doorway into advocacy Why her books are built to help readers see themselves in the work, not just follow her story The difference between the inspiration-driven Changing Diapers and the step-by-step "manual," Advocacy Made Easy Why every issue is connected — "when you tug on your own thread, you're helping to unravel the whole damn cloth" The danger of activist burnout, and why leading with fear and anger isn't sustainable How joy and gratitude — thanking a member of Congress, celebrating small wins — actually open doors that anger closes Practical, no-excuses first steps: fivecalls.org, calling after hours if cold calls feel scary, and stacking advocacy into habits you already have (carpool line, coffee line, before girls' night) Writing a "joy hook" letter to the editor instead of a rant Curating a healthier news diet — including two recommended sources: Heather Cox Richardson and Ben Green's newsletter, Good Queer News Why relational advocacy (finding common ground, even with people you disagree with) builds influence that lasts longer than a single election cycle Key Quotes: "You are not powerless." — the opening line of Advocacy Made Easy "All these issues are related, and when you tug on your own thread, you're helping to unravel the whole damn cloth." "Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." — Ruth Bader Ginsburg, quoted by Cynthia "I come in like a wrecking ball of joy." Try This: The One-Call Habit Cynthia's simple entry point into advocacy, mapped to Rachel's habit-stacking philosophy: Pick your moment — attach one phone call to something you already do daily (waiting in the pickup line, standing in a coffee line, five minutes before a Zoom call) Use a script — go to fivecalls.org, find your issue, and personalize the script with your own story Go after hours if you're nervous — call when offices are closed so you simply leave a message Celebrate it — mark the small win (a sticker, a note, a mental high-five) since positive actions need reinforcing just as much as negative emotions stick Resources & Links Mentioned: Book: From Changing Diapers to Changing the World: Why Moms Make Great Advocates and How to Get Started Book: Advocacy Made Easy: How to Turn Civic Frustration into Powerful Action Website: advocacymadeasy.com (includes a directory of recommended nonpartisan advocacy organizations and a sign-up for Cynthia's monthly newsletter) Tool: fivecalls.org Newsletter: Good Queer News by Ben Green Newsletter: Heather Cox Richardson Organizations mentioned: RESULTS, CARE Action, Bread for the World, Citizens' Climate Lobby, FCNL (Friends Committee on National Legislation), Moms Demand Action, ONE Campaign, Shot@Life Connect with Cynthia: Website: advocacymadeasy.com Autographed books available directly through her website; also available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and independent bookstores Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #67

  What Is Joyful Leadership? A Conversation with Dr. Katie McIntyre

  Jul 3, 202656 min

  In this episode, Rachel sits down with Dr. Katie McIntyre, founder and CEO of the Joyful Leadership Academy, speaker, author, coach, and leadership researcher. Katie's PhD research — literally titled "What Is Joyful Leadership?" — uncovered what happens when leaders bring warmth, lightheartedness, and calm consistency into how they lead, and why it's one of the most under-tapped strategies for building resilient, engaged, financially sustainable organizations. Rachel and Katie nerd out on the research behind joyful leadership, why it's not "fluffy," and how any leader — in any industry — can start building it as a skill today. In This Episode The Harvard Business Review article that sparked Katie's PhD research into joyful leadership Katie's definition of joyful leadership: warmth, lightheartedness, relationship-based, and calm consistency The link between joy, emotional contagion, and resilience Why joy is a practice and a skill — not a personality trait The "attitude of gratitude" practice Katie used as a school leader Reframing pushback like "that sounds fluffy" or "that's a feminine way to lead" Why joyful leadership drives real business outcomes: lower turnover, less burnout, stronger retention The generational shift toward purpose-driven, engaged workplaces Bringing your whole, integrated self to work instead of a separate "work self" Katie's validated tool for measuring joyful leadership in individuals, teams, and organizations What it looks like to work with Katie — from individual coaching to full organizational development Book and research recommendations for going deeper on joy and positive leadership About Dr. Katie McIntyre Katie is the founder and CEO of the Joyful Leadership Academy. A speaker, author, coach, and leadership researcher, she helps organizations build thriving workplace cultures through joyful leadership. She has held leadership roles including school principal and Chief Operating Officer of an aeromedical airline, has published multiple book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, and regularly presents at national and international conferences. Connect with Katie: Website: www.joyfulleadershipacademy.com.au Resources & Mentions Brené Brown Aunty (Aunt) Middleton, Zero Negativity Barbara Fredrickson's broaden-and-build theory Shawn Achor Kelly McGonigal, The Joy of Movement Catherine Price, The Power of Fun Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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