She Chose Joy with Melanie

Melanie and Esther also explore the impact of perfectionism, fear, self-abandonment, and the pressure to have everything figured out. They remind us that we are all leaders, not because of our titles or achievements, but because of the choices we make and the conversations we shape every day. This episode is for anyone who wants to build healthier relationships, trust themselves more deeply, and l...

Maya Davis has spent her career learning that history is never really about facts on a wall. It's about family, memory, and the stories we choose to carry forward. In this episode, Maya shares her path from a curious student at Howard University into her current role as director of a historic house museum on a former plantation site in Prince George's County, Maryland. She talks about the...

There's a moment in this conversation where Tiffanie Powellsays surrender feels like quitting, and then tells you why she chose it anyway. That's the heartbeat of this episode. Tiffanie is an estate planning attorney who has spent 25 years helping families plan for the parts of life no one wants to talk about. This conversation is really about what happens when a woman who built her whole identity...

Loretta Veney has a story that holds heartbreak and humor in the same hand. In this episode, Loretta walks through a thirteen-year medical journey that started with a doctor telling her to get over it and eventually led to a diagnosis that nearly cost her life. Sheshares what it meant to build a marriage with her husband Tim around hospital rooms and Dairy Queen runs, and how that same resilience...

What does it really mean to lead… not by mimicking the person above you, but from the fullness of who you actually are? In this conversation, Melanie sits down with leadership coach and author Tami Chapek for a rich, honest exploration of whatit looks like to stop forcing alignment and start living from it. Tami shares the burnout, the misalignment, the "big down" that eventually cracked something...

Chef Elizabeth Falkner has spent her career treating food as something far more than sustenance. It is art. It is theater. It is a living expression of culture, memory, and the human desire to connect. In this conversation, Elizabeth and I explore what it means to create with intention, why diversity in ingredients isa reflection of the world we want to build, and how the culinary community found...

In this conversation, Whitney Dawn Pyles shares her journey of sobriety and how it has led her to a deeper understanding of authenticity, joy, and connection. She discusses thecomplexities of joy and grief, life’s transitions, the societal normssurrounding alcohol, and the importance of creating spaces for genuine connection. Whitney emphasizes the significance of micro-practices in accessing joy...

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. Chapters 00:00 Welc...

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 l...

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 sa...

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...

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 c...

LeeAnn shares the importance of finding joy in simple things, the healing power of storytelling, and how embracing emotions can lead to a more fulfilling life. LeeAnn sharesher journey of creating a one-woman show, the birth of her 'Adventure Girl' persona, and the significance of taking risks. They also delve into the concept of collecting regrets as a means to fuel future growth and the practice...

Elena shares her transformative journey of self-discovery, exploring the themes of personal growth, the significance of the seven-year cycle, and the importance of listening to one'sinner voice. She reflects on her experiences of deconstructing her life, the pain of letting go, and the joy of rebuilding her identity through love and acceptance. The discussion emphasizes the need for trust in onese...

In this episode, Melanie celebrates the National Day of Joy and emphasizes that joy can be accessed in the present moment without needing extra resources. She shares simple practices to experience joy, such as savoring food, self-hugging, and connecting with nature. The conversation encourages listeners to choose joy daily and recognize their worth. A Moment of Gratitude for our sponsor. Michele A...

In this conversation, Melanie Foote-Davis and Tesha McCord Poe explore the themes of grief, joy, and resilience. Tesha shares her personal journey of loss, including the deaths of her husband and father, and how she found ways to process her grief through writing and humor. They discuss the importance of community, the lasting impact of love, and the mission behind Tesha's company, Joy-Raising, wh...

In this episode I invite you to play with joy. I share a beautiful quote by Kaylyn Johnson of Effie's Paper , reminding us that "joy is not cancelled. " I encourage viewers to go on a treasure hunt for joy, to find simple moments that bring them happiness. I invite everyone to take five minutes each day to do something that contributes to their joy. Join me in exploring different ways to experienc...

In this empowering episode, we tackle the infamous "Quitters Day" — the day many abandon their New Year's resolutions. But for ambitious women leaders like you, this is not the time to give up on your dreams, your vision, or your legacy. Join me as I share seven practical tips to honor your commitment without falling into burnout or overwhelm. Learn how to reconnect with your purpose, take small y...

Have you ever been heading down a path then discovered you needed to circle back to a place you’ve been before? In this episode Keana shares   How she discovered the difference between familiar and being on assignment The power of positioning the right prayer warriors to encamp around her Her appreciation for the value and joy of returning to a place she’d been before The value of creating leaders...

Cheers to a year where your growth is nurtured by compassion, your dreams are realized with grace, your journey is rooted in the fullness of who you are at your core and these connections are your bridge to deeper joy.  Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Harmonious New Year! Melanie Book your FREE inHERjoy Discovery call

I believe that we’re surrounded my messages. Life speaks to us through various mediums.  In this episode life spoke to me through my persistent chin hairs. LOL! Go to http://bit.ly/ccjoy to Download your FREE copy of How to Consciously Create a Life of Joy Journal

So many of us are seeking work-life balance. It’s aspirational yet can feel so far away from your current reality. What if there was another way to approach this idea of balance? Have you ever considered what life could feel like if you softened your approach to leadership, team and life of well-being? In this episode Emmy and I explore various possibilities available to us even in workplace setti...

Do you remember a time when you felt emotional but didn’t know how to express what you were experiencing? Well you’re not alone. Jazmin Ocampo recognized that repressing her feelings and moving like a high-functioning machine was not the way she wanted to live. She gave herself permission to feel. She now knows how to operate from an overflowing cup, vibrate higher with an expanded capacity to lis...

We’ve all experienced regrets on some level on our quest to achieve our goals and aspirations. My guest LeeAnn Webster is no stranger to regrets. She doesn’t see it as bad. Instead, she learned to use regrets as her navigation system. It guided her path to a life of joy, adventure and fulfillment.   In this episode LeeAnn shares: How to use an energetic container to support your well being The val...

Have you ever questioned what it would be like to disrupt your routine to connect with the next version of you? Then you’re gonna really appreciate this episode.  My friend, Tami Chapek tossed her well-orchestrated plan to the side. And she and her dog Lula, packed their lives in a storage unit and ventured off to a road trip of discovery. Yummy right? In this episode Tami shares the value in: Lea...