JOY Unfiltered: Joy is the strategy

Send us Fan Mail What if the fastest way forward… wasn’t doing more alone—but connecting more deeply with others? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel dives into the science and strategy behind connection, collaboration, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can completely transform your life, leadership, and success. After attending a powerful conference filled with driven, pur...

Send us Fan Mail You’re tired… but it’s more than tired. You’re overwhelmed.  You’re procrastinating simple things.  You don’t feel like yourself anymore. In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel sits down with Dr. Holly King to explore what burnout really is and why it’s not just about doing too much, but about a dysregulated nervous system . This conversation blends science, self-awareness, an...

Send us Fan Mail You want it. You know how to do it. So why aren’t you doing it? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel sits down with performance coach, international speaker, and bestselling author Kam Knight to unpack one of the most misunderstood forces in personal growth: internal resistance . This conversation goes far beyond surface-level mindset talk. You’ll learn why your brain can cr...

Send us Fan Mail What if joy isn’t something you wait for… but something you practice? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered, Rachel breaks down the science and strategy behind micro joys - the small, often overlooked moments that can completely shift your mood, your nervous system, and your life. We’re not talking about big, once-in-a-while happiness. We’re talking about daily, repeatable joy you can...

Send us Fan Mail What if the thing keeping you stuck… isn’t your life - but what you’re still holding onto? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel sits down with emotional clearing expert and meta-psychology coach Lesley Christine to explore how unresolved emotions shape our energy, decisions, and ability to experience joy. Lesley shares her powerful personal story—from burnout and a life-alte...

Send us Fan Mail What if changing someone’s entire day… their mood… even their life… took less than 30 seconds? In this solo episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel breaks down the science behind one simple, powerful habit: sending a joyful text. This isn’t about being “nice.”  This is about rewiring the brain, regulating the nervous system, and creating real human connection in a world that feels incr...

Send us Fan Mail What if the weight you’re carrying isn’t just physical? In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Rachel sits down with Lisa Barwise, founder of The Warrior Goddess Saga , to explore the concept of “armor weight” —the emotional, energetic, and identity-based weight many women carry, especially in midlife. After years in the fitness industry helping women build strength, Lisa notic...

Send us Fan Mail What if laughter isn’t a break from leadership… but the reason you lead better? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel breaks down the science behind laughter, nervous system regulation, and why integration—not compartmentalization—is the future of high-performance leadership. We’ve been taught to separate who we are at work from who we are in life. But your body doesn’t opera...

Send us Fan Mail What if the way you eat could bring more joy—not just to your body, but to the world? In this powerful and honest conversation, Rachel sits down with Jenny Cheifetz , vegan lifestyle coach and host of The Flirty Vegan Podcast , to explore her journey from chronic dieting and burnout to a compassionate, plant-based life. Jenny shares how the pandemic became a turning point—leading...

Send us Fan Mail What if the patterns you’ve been trying to fix… are actually the key to your next level of leadership? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel breaks down the Gene Keys in a way that is both grounded and practical—bridging science, behavior, and self-awareness to show how your patterns shape your energy, decisions, and results. This is not about labels or personality types.  Th...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to clarity, calm, and joy… was as simple as picking up a pen? In this inspiring episode, Rachel sits down with Krystal Mills, a teacher, life coach, and NeuroGraphica practitioner, to explore how creativity can unlock powerful personal transformation. After experiencing burnout in her teaching career, Crystal discovered coaching—and later NeuroGraphica—a unique ble...

Send us Fan Mail What if the reason things feel hard… is because you’re forcing them? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel dives into the powerful shift that changed everything in her life: surrender. Not giving up.  Not checking out.  But releasing control over the how … while staying committed to the what. Backed by neuroscience and lived experience, Rachel breaks down why forcing outcomes...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your life looks “good on paper”… but something still feels missing? In this heartfelt and energizing conversation, Rachel sits down with Connie Cotter , a faith-forward, joy-driven high-performance coach, to explore what it really means to move from fine to fulfilled . Connie shares her personal journey from a successful IT career to discovering her true calling—...

Send us Fan Mail What if you don’t need a new routine, more discipline, or a complete life overhaul to feel better? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel explores the concept of micro-joy - small, intentional moments that can dramatically shift your mood, mindset, and performance in just days. Backed by neuroscience and real-life application, you’ll learn how your brain’s negativity bias work...

Send us Fan Mail What if aging isn’t something to fight… but something to embrace? In this heartfelt episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel sits down with author Mary Westheimer to explore what nobody tells us about getting older—and why joy might be the most important foundation we can build. From meditation and mindset to friendship, loss, and laughter, Mary shares wisdom drawn from decades of life...

Send us Fan Mail What if joy isn’t something you earn—but something you lead with ? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel challenges the deeply ingrained belief that burnout is the price of success. Instead, she introduces a powerful reframe: joy is not the reward—joy is the strategy. Blending science, nervous system awareness, and practical tools, this episode explores how your thoughts shap...

Send us Fan Mail What if joy isn’t something you wait for… but something you learn to see? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel sits down with fellow author Peg Guilfoyle to explore the art of noticing joy in everyday life. From small, surprising moments (like finding “a million dollars” in a grocery aisle) to deeper reflections on curiosity, connection, and attention, Peg shares how cultiva...

Send us Fan Mail What if leadership didn’t require burnout, pressure, or constant proving? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel breaks down a new way of leading—one rooted in joy as a strategy , not a reward. She introduces the 4 pillars of joy-led leadership and a powerful reframe: joy isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you practice . If you’ve been leading from exhaustion, this ep...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when getting fired becomes the best thing that ever happened to you? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel sits down with business coach Tammy Johnston—self-proclaimed “hold your hand and kick your ass” coach—to unpack the real, unfiltered truth about starting and growing a business. From navigating the chaos of early entrepreneurship to understanding the four co...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Joy Unscripted , Rachel Bents explores how embracing joy can transform leadership from one of exhaustion to one rooted in energy, authenticity, and long-term sustainability. Challenging the belief that great leadership requires sacrifice and depletion, Rachel offers a refreshing alternative - one where joy becomes a powerful and practical leadership strategy. Sh...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , I sit down with Nicole Kelly for a deeply honest conversation about race, inequality, and community in Minnesota. Nicole shares what it was like growing up in Minneapolis in a multi-ethnic family, with a Black father and a white mother, and how those different perspectives shaped the way she sees the world. We talk about how important it is to a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , I sit down with Tasha Wilson for a powerful conversation about inner healing, boundaries, purpose, and what it really means to embody joy. Tasha shares her journey as a speaker, author, educator, and community leader, and how life experiences, grief, and personal transformation led her to help other women find their voice and strength. We talk a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , I sit down with Rebecca Thomas for a thoughtful conversation about joy, self-trust, boundaries, and what it means to slow down in a world that constantly pushes us to do more. Rebecca shares how her background in hospitality, hosting, and deep relational work led her into coaching women who appear capable on the outside but are quietly carrying...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , Rachel sits down with artist, designer, and watercolor coach Chris Vabre for a heartfelt conversation about creativity, fear, inspiration, and the healing power of art. Chris shares her journey from a creative childhood to working in retail and fashion, and how she eventually found her way back to her artistic voice through watercolor. Together,...

Send us Fan Mail Is joy just a nice feeling—or is it actually a leadership advantage? In this episode of Joy Unfiltered , we explore the surprising science behind joy and how it impacts the way we think, lead, create, and connect with others. Research in neuroscience and psychology shows that joy isn’t just an emotional experience—it changes the way our brain functions. When we experience joy and...