Joy Found Here

What happens when everything burns down — literally — and the woman left standing in the ashes decides she's done rebuilding the same life twice? In episode 254 of Joy Found Here, Melanie Rhora, author of The Phoenix Path, shares how losing her home and 15-year business to a fire on the same day became the brutal turning point she didn't know she'd been asking for — and how it led her to finally ask the one question she'd been avoiding: what do I actually need?In This Episode, You Will Learn:03:42) When the house fire finally matched what was already burning inside (07:11) Why she sat in the mess before rebuilding (09:38) The shift from doing for everyone to asking what do I need? (11:50) Walking away from a $200M career to follow an unexplainable idea (14:07) What happened when Melanie finally stopped confusing control with strength (15:57) Why women's circles feel nothing like a networking room (19:23) How The Phoenix Path went from circle program to poolside in Costa Rica (24:36) The mean girl dynamic — why their projection is never about you(27:11) Self-trust as the quiet fire that brings you back to yourself (35:55) The book, 12-week program, and Costa Rica retreats explainedMelanie Rhora is the author of The Phoenix Path: A Woman's Guide to Healing, Rebuilding, and Rising Stronger and founder of Phoenix Path Transformations. After losing her home and 15-year digital marketing business to a fire on the same day, she rebuilt her life from the ground up — this time on her own terms. Now a trauma-informed facilitator and CEO of Ascend Empower Group Inc., she leads women's circles, online programs, and Costa Rica retreats built around her four-step framework: recognize, release, reclaim, and rise.In this episode, Melanie shares how her house fire became the catalyst that forced her to stop asking how do I fix this? and start asking what do I actually need? — a shift she credits with changing everything. She unpacks the power of women's circles, including her no-feedback model where women "beam" love instead of offering advice, creating rare space for women to hear their own inner voice. She also reframes the "mean girl" dynamic as a reflection of unhealed wounds, explores why self-trust is the quiet fire that reignites a woman's sense of self, and shares a practical gem she lives by: committing to three fun things a day to stay, as she puts it, a sparkly unicorn.Connect with Melanie Rhora:WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedInBook: Melanie Rhora - The Phoenix PathLet's Connect:WebsiteInstagram

What if the stranger staring back at you in the mirror isn't a sign of decline — but an invitation to take back control? In episode 253 of Joy Found Here, Dr. Prudence Hall, founder of The Hall Center and pioneer in regenerative medicine, makes a compelling case that biological age is not a sentence — it's a choice. From the gut-hormone connection to why it's never too late to rebalance your body, this conversation is equal parts eye-opening and deeply hopeful.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(4:25) How France sparked Dr. Hall's calling to champion women's health (7:20) Why biological age matters more than chronological — and how to reverse it (10:41) Building an anti-inflammatory plate from the ground up (14:52) Where to find fiber and why your gut depends on it (17:09) The link between menopause, gut inflammation, and estrogen (19:32) Sugar, smarter swaps, and hidden inflammatory triggers (24:22) The hard truth about alcohol and women's hormones (27:05) Perimenopause decoded: symptoms, timing, and missed diagnoses (35:24) The thyroid-estrogen connection most doctors overlook (39:46) Why it's never too late to rebalance your hormonesDr. Prudence Hall is a board-certified physician, founder and medical director of The Hall Center in Santa Monica, and a leading voice in regenerative and integrative medicine. After training as a traditional gynecological surgeon, she pivoted to address the root causes of women's hormonal health through a whole-body, individualized approach. She is the author of Radiant Again & Forever (free download at drprudencehall.com) and has treated over 40,000 patients worldwide through her practice, Menopause Breakthrough Program, and virtual consultations.In this episode, Dr. Prudence Hall reframes aging as something largely within our control, introducing the concept of biological vs. chronological age — and making the case that biological age can genuinely be reversed. She covers the foundational pillars: a plant-forward, low-sugar, anti-inflammatory diet; gut health supported by fiber and clean oils; and eliminating hidden inflammatory triggers like gluten and dairy. The conversation's core lands on hormones — Dr. Hall demystifies perimenopause (which can begin as early as the late 30s), champions bioidentical hormone therapy for symptom relief and long-term brain health, and unpacks the underappreciated thyroid-estrogen connection. Her closing message: it is never too late, pointing to a 93-year-old patient whose cognitive clarity was restored through hormone rebalancing.Connect with Dr. Prudence Hall:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebookBook: Prudence Hall M.D. - Radiant Again & ForeverLet's Connect:WebsiteInstagram

What happens when a high-achieving woman checks every box society handed her — only to realize none of it was truly hers? In episode 252 of Joy Found Here, Recalibrate Coaching founder Hema Crockett shares the deeply personal moment that cracked everything open and led her to ask, for the very first time: what do I actually want?In This Episode, You Will Learn:(01:52) Meet Hema: coach and "recovered HR executive" (04:45) Growing up between East and West (06:09) Nearly 20 years in the corporate grind (07:03) The turning point: living in Kathmandu, Nepal (10:14) The IVF journey that changed everything (13:00) How "what do I want?" became Recalibrate Coaching (18:10) Introducing the Disrupting Default podcast (21:51) Why awareness, once gained, can't be undone (27:10) Inside the Recalibrate process: digging, the void, building (33:23) Recalibration as a lifelong practiceHema Crockett grew up as the daughter of Indian immigrants in Arizona, straddling Eastern traditions and Western culture — conditioning she didn't recognize until much later. After nearly 20 years as a corporate HR executive in tech and biotech startups, she had the corner office, the stock options, and the title, but felt completely disconnected. The breaking point came during IVF, when she realized mid-transfer that she didn't want children — and her husband, waiting in the car, felt exactly the same. That moment of radical honesty sent her on a years-long journey of unraveling everything she'd been told to want.In this episode, Hema walks Stephanie through the philosophy behind her coaching practice, Recalibrate, where she works one-on-one with high-achieving women in midlife who have "made it" by every measure but feel unfulfilled. She shares her process of guiding clients from discovery to a conscious "choice point," then into intentionally building a life rooted in desire rather than expectation — no quitting required, just micro-shifts in awareness. She also introduces her new podcast, Disrupting Default, co-hosted with her retired Marine husband, which challenges the everyday autopilot habits we never stop to question. Connect with Hema Crockett:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeLinkedInPodcast: Disrupting DefaultLet's Connect:WebsiteInstagram

What if the most powerful weapon against a toxic boss isn't quitting — it's understanding exactly how they think? In episode 251 of Joy Found Here, CEO coach and venture capitalist Kate Lowry reveals why fear-based leadership is making a sweeping comeback, and why so many high-achievers are blindsided by it. Drawing on her own journey from a controlling household to the corridors of Silicon Valley, Kate brings her book Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders to life with a toolkit that turns powerlessness into strategy.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(03:59) How a Silicon Valley sea change sparked Unbreakable(06:32) Why Kate's childhood became her greatest career advantage(08:39) Why top-down leadership is suddenly back in vogue(11:36) Inside the mind of a fear-based leader(15:17) What to do when your new boss isn't who showed up to the interview(18:30) Red flags, buzzwords, and questions that make a toxic culture hard to hide(21:47) Why fear chokes innovation — and the hidden cost to companies(28:50) How to protect your energy, predict their moves, and run circles around them(33:30) Why identity is your greatest armour — and how to build it(36:59) The decade outlook — and why attention and availability are your greatest leverageKate Lowry is a Silicon Valley-based CEO coach, venture capitalist, and author with over 15 years of experience across startups, private equity, and big tech — including stints at McKinsey, Meta, and Insight Partners. Founder of coaching firm Scaleheart Co., she specialises in empowering mission-driven founders and has become one of the leading voices on fear-based leadership in the modern workplace. Her expertise was forged first-hand — navigating a controlling household, then eight fear-based bosses across some of the world's most high-pressure industries — and is now distilled into her book, Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders. When she's not coaching CEOs, you'll find her writing comedy, making music, and cuddling her service dog, Annie.Kate unpacks why fear-based leadership — top-down, my-way-or-the-highway management — is surging back into vogue and why it's hitting today's workforce particularly hard. She reveals that these leaders are fundamentally driven by deep insecurity, and because of that, far more predictable than they appear. Kate offers listeners a practical toolkit for navigating these environments: build a diverse sense of identity so no job title can topple your self-worth; protect your energy; control what information you share; and use your attention and availability as quiet forms of leverage. She also shares sharp red-flag advice for spotting a toxic culture before you even accept the role — and closes with a sobering outlook: this trend isn't going anywhere for the next five to ten years, making these skills not just helpful, but essential.Connect with Kate Lowry:WebsiteInstagramSubstackGet coaching/advising from Kate!Book: Kate Lowry - Unbreakable: How to Thrive Under Fear-Based LeadersLet's Connect:WebsiteInstagram

What if the secret to a happier life wasn't about doing more — but paying closer attention to what's already pulling you forward? In episode 250 of Joy Found Here, author and entrepreneur Emily Florence returns to share why choosing joy is less about grand gestures and more about small, intentional daily decisions. From dropping out of law school after four days to building a life entirely on her own terms, her story is a masterclass in trusting yourself — and Even Better: Easier Ways to a Happier Life is the roadmap she wishes she'd had all along.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(04:38) The four-day law school exit that changed everything (09:20) Why "safe" choices aren't always the right ones (10:33) From gallery walls to Beverly Hills: journalism, PR, and American Idol (13:19) Learning to trust intuition even when the path isn't clear (15:44) Why happiness is a decision, not a feeling (20:08) Letting go of heavy thoughts — and what to replace them with (24:28) Staying grounded when the world feels overwhelming (28:31) The story behind Even Better's 101 bite-sized lessons (35:32) Social media, dopamine, and why boundaries are non-negotiable (40:18) The simple five-thing evening ritual that builds lasting joyEmily Florence is a bestselling author, award-winning writer, and entrepreneur who believes life gets better when we stop being so hard on ourselves and start choosing joy with intention. A former Beverly Hills PR strategist who worked on American Idol and Gilmore Girls, she holds a Master's in Broadcast Journalism from Emerson College, is a certified life purpose and career coach, and founder of Everyday Happy — honoured as a Forbes Top 100 Website for Women. Her book Even Better: Easier Ways to a Happier Life was named the Feel-Good Book of 2024 by Yahoo Finance.Emily opens with the moment that shaped everything: dropping out of law school after just four days at 22, choosing how she felt over what people thought — the seed of all she now teaches. She unpacks why happiness isn't a destination but a series of daily micro-choices, and introduces the practice of "paying attention to your attention" — noticing what leaves you feeling better or worse and deliberately choosing more of what lifts you. She also speaks to staying grounded in a noisy world through mindful media consumption, daily meditation, and a simple evening ritual of writing down five things you're grateful for or accomplished. The episode closes with exciting news: the audiobook for Even Better drops February 26, 2026.Connect with Emily Florence:WebsiteSubstackInstagramBook: Emily Florence - Even BetterGet Emily’s free workshop & guide!Let's Connect:WebsiteInstagram

What happens when a former lawyer and pop musician gets told she's "too old" to write about desire—and builds a literary empire instead? In episode 249 of Joy Found Here, author Lexy Shaw Delorme shares how she turned publisher rejection into fuel for independence. After being told it's "unbecoming for a woman in her forties to still have sexual feelings," Lexy chose self-publishing and proved that refusing to wait for permission creates something extraordinary.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(04:12) From Music to Law to Literature: Lexy's Multi-Hyphenate Journey(05:38) Characters as Truth-Tellers: Why Fiction Lets You Say What You Can't(10:17) Finding Her Tribe: How Comic-Con Became the Perfect Venue(14:24) The Inclusive Magic of Comic-Con Culture(22:13) The Limerent Series: Four Books, One Converging World(29:30) Writing with ADHD: Achievable Goals and Family Accountability(35:32) "I'm Not Going to Allow Myself to Think I Can't Do It"(44:24) Fighting the Publishing Patriarchy: Why She Went Independent(47:36) Building a Creative Empire: Her Self-Publishing Team(53:06) Taking on Amazon and Where to Find Her BooksLexy Shaw Delorme is an award-winning American author based in Paris, known for her genre-defying Limerent Series written under the pen name S. Delorme. A true Renaissance woman—pop musician with an MTV feature, lawyer, 23andMe science writer, and sound engineer—she channels all those experiences into fiction that blends paranormal romance with legal thrillers and metaphysical mysteries. After rejecting traditional publishing's limitations (including being told it's "unbecoming for a woman in her forties to still have sexual feelings"), she built an independent publishing empire with her family. With nine books completed and a relentless creative drive fueled by ADHD, Lexy regularly appears at Comic-Cons and literary festivals across Europe and the US, proving you're never too old to write complex stories on your own terms.In this episode, Lexy returns with updates on launching her fifth book at New York Comic-Con and plans for a short story collection. She shares how Comic-Con became her ideal venue—a passionate, inclusive community of 250,000+ attendees who embrace boundary-pushing stories—and opens up about managing ADHD through achievable writing goals, treating her author career as a startup, and building a creative team with her son as developmental editor. Whether discussing constant creative momentum or recent Amazon challenges, Lexy's message is clear: passion, persistence, and refusing to wait for permission are the keys to creating the life and work you want.Connect with Lexy Shaw Delorme:WebsiteTikTokInstagramXSoundCloudGet Lexy’s books!Let's Connect:WebsiteInstagram

What happens when a personal trainer loses the ability to walk and discovers a power she never knew existed? In episode 248 of Joy Found Here, Isabelle Daikeler shares how spending over a decade unable to move without pain after giving birth forced her into complete surrender. That breaking point became her awakening—when her body began moving on its own for three days, when channeling started, and when she discovered what she calls our "third limb": an aspect of ourselves we've all forgotten we have.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(04:59) From Skeptic to Healer(07:18) The Car Crash That Changed Everything(10:30) Discovering Adaptogenic Medicine(15:13) Giving Birth and Losing Mobility(17:10) The Prayer of Surrender(22:00) Three Days of Somatic Unwinding(24:30) Discovering the "Third Limb"(30:44) Living with Inner Guidance(34:08) Your Body's Ancestral Wisdom(39:37) Inside the Harmonic Egg(44:48) Why Knowing is FreedomAs the founder of Authenticity – The Malibu Sound & Light Healing Center, Isabelle Daikeler guides individuals toward inner alignment through intuitive channeling and the revolutionary Harmonic Egg chamber. Her journey into this work wasn't sought—it found her. After giving birth to her son seventeen years ago, she spent over a decade unable to walk, stripped of her identity as a strong, athletic personal trainer. Broken and surrendering in prayer on the floor of her Kauai home, her connection to divine guidance—what she calls her third "limb"—awakened through three days of involuntary somatic unwinding and the beginning of channeling. Her devastating loss became the doorway to a different kind of strength: one built from the inside out.In this episode, Isabelle shares why surrender is the most essential step in healing, how our bodies hold ancestral wisdom and current-life lessons in every moment, and why the negative emotions we resist are actually our greatest teachers. She introduces the Harmonic Egg—a sacred geometry chamber using personalized sound and light frequencies to reset the nervous system and shift us from reactive to responsive. Whether you've spent years searching for answers or you're carrying pain that won't let go, Isabelle's message is clear: the wisdom you need is already within you, accessible here and now, and knowing—truly knowing—is the gateway to freedom.Connect with Isabelle Daikeler:WebsiteInstagramFacebookLet's Connect:WebsiteInstagram

What happens when a milestone birthday sparks restlessness instead of celebration—and becomes a turning point for deeper purpose? In episode 246 of Joy Found Here, Allison McCune Davis joins Stephanie to rethink aging, midlife, and what comes next. A mother of five and natural health educator, Allison shares how turning 60 pushed her to stop coasting, ask bigger questions, and create a clear plan for living fully—body, mind, and soul.In This Episode, You Will Learn:(04:18) The moment turning 60 stopped feeling comfortable(05:05) Why decade birthdays demand honest reflection(06:30) Letting go of “mom mode” and redefining self(08:31) How age labels distort women’s health narratives(11:11) Raising five kids through birth, adoption, and choice(14:34) A first wake-up call into natural healing(16:26) Saying yes to a challenge that changed everything(19:06) How mindset and community shape what’s possible(21:52) The three-pillar framework for a strong second half(28:50) Building momentum through a 60-day resetAllison McCune Davis is an author, certified naturopath, and natural health educator with over a decade of experience supporting women in building healthier, more intentional lives. A former television producer and homeschooling mother of five, she brings both structure and compassion to her work, drawing on longevity research, habit formation, and holistic health. Allison is the author of Sixty Is a Good Start, a practical guide for women navigating midlife with clarity, vitality, and purpose, and she leads programs that help women turn insight into sustainable daily action.In this episode, Allison shares how turning 60 became a catalyst for reinvention rather than a moment of decline. She reflects on the identity shifts that follow motherhood, the restlessness many women feel in midlife, and how that discomfort can spark meaningful change. Introducing her three-pillar framework—body work, brain work, and world work—she explains why small, consistent habits shape long-term health, connection, and fulfillment. Her message is clear and empowering: our future is built through the daily routines we choose, and it’s never too late to begin creating a life that feels strong, purposeful, and fully alive.Connect with Allison McCune Davis:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramFacebookGet Allison’s books!Let's Connect:WebsiteInstagram