Pivot To Joy

In this episode of Pivot to Joy, host Dele Downs Kooley sits down with her coaching client Montana von Fliss, public speaking coach, actor, and TEDx Bellevue Women speaker. Montana shares her journey from a lifelong love of acting and teaching to speaker coach, ultimately stepping onto the TEDx stage herself. Together, Dele and Montana explore the universal struggle with confidence, the science be...

In this episode of Pivot to Joy, host Dele Downs Kooley sits down with Parul Sharma, creative director, artist, and 2024 TEDx Bellevue Women’s speaker, to explore the power of developing a "protagonist mindset." Parul shares her journey from childhood as an artist in India, through pivots in her career and personal life, to taking the TEDx stage. She details how her Buddhist practice sha...

In this episode of Pivot to Joy, Coach Kooley sits down with coaching client Claudia Longo, founder of MS, I’mpossible and a 2024 TEDx Bellevue Women speaker. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at just 18, Claudia defied the odds by returning as a Division 1 soccer player at the University of Washington. As the founder of MS Impossible, she connects and empowers young adults living with MS, tr...

 In this episode of Pivot to Joy, host Dele Downs Kooley sits down with coaching client, Kirsten Duncan—healthcare leader, speaker, and now published TEDx presenter—to explore the journey of embracing fear and uncovering the unexpected gifts that lie on the other side of discomfort. Kirsten opens up about her transformation from living with anxiety and self-doubt to rebuilding trust in herself aft...

In this powerful episode, Coach Kooley welcomes her coaching client, Dr. Nooshin K. Darvish, award-winning naturopathic physician, founder of Holistique Medical Center, and author of “The Golden Gate: Unleash Your Feminine Powers to Graceful Aging.” Dr. Darvish shares her inspiring journey to the TEDx stage, explores the transformative power of joy, and reveals how her family’s legacy and personal...

In this episode, Coach Kooley interviews Kristin Graham, founder of Unlock the Brain and host of the Fewer Things Better podcast. Kristin shares insights from neuroscience, psychology, and habits to help listeners unlock their potential and boost productivity. She shares strategies for time management, organization, setting boundaries, and prioritizing joy and self-care. Kristin shares "brain snac...

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Kerri Kazarba Schneider, a former broadcast journalist and current communication coach who shares her expert tips on becoming a more effective communicator. She covers strategies for being clear, concise, and compelling in your speaking and practical tools to improve vocal delivery and reduce filler words. She further shares valuable insights on improving...

In this episode, Coach Kooley engages in a dynamic conversation with Harpreet Kaur, a distinguished tech leader, executive coach, and keynote speaker. From her extensive experience at companies like Microsoft, Harpreet shares useful strategies for navigating leadership challenges in the fast-paced tech industry. They discuss various crucial topics, including preventing burnout, setting effective b...

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Dr. Shideh Shafie, an expert in emergency medicine and high-performance coaching, to discuss strategies for avoiding burnout, setting effective boundaries, and achieving work-life balance. Dr. Shafie shares insights on active recovery, enforcing personal boundaries, and maintaining peak performance in high-pressure environments. Dr. Shideh discusses strat...

In this episode, Coach Kooley interviews Lindsay Lyman, a certified career and life coach. Lindsay shares her journey from an insecure overachiever to a confident leader, offering insights on tackling corporate challenges and finding motivation in difficult work environments. The conversation covers building self-trust, achieving work-life balance, and finding fulfilment in and out of work. Lindsa...

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by a professional organizer, Rebecca Johnston, who shares her journey to becoming organized, tips for decluttering and organizing spaces, and advice for those overwhelmed by disorganization. She talks of the emotional and financial impacts of clutter, the value of professional organizing services, and practical strategies for getting started with organizing....

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Chezik Tsunoda, a filmmaker, water safety advocate, and founder of No More Under. Chezik shares how she balances her busy life as a single mother of four while managing two businesses. She discusses the importance of self-care, being present, and building a strong support system. Chezik further shares her journey from corporate work to entrepreneurship an...

In this episode, Coach Kooley kicks off the 2024 Summer of Success series, emphasizing the critical balance between high performance and self-care. She introduces the series' themes and encourages listeners to define what brings them joy, offering practical suggestions and free journaling resources to accompany each episode.  She also shares her recent family celebrations and introduces the u...

In this episode, Coach Kooley discusses celebrating milestones and embracing the journey toward success rather than solely focusing on the end goal or destination. She discusses strategies for staying motivated, such as pausing to reassess and set new goals after accomplishing objectives, surrounding yourself with a supportive community, and viewing challenges as opportunities for growth. Coach Ko...

Hello, welcome to episode 2 of a 5 part series on your success. In this episode, Coach Kooley continues her five-part series on success by discussing the pivotal role of intentionality. She explains how intentionality shapes our actions and outcomes, provides strategies for setting clear intentions, and shares examples of her clients achieving success through intentional action. Coach Kooley empha...

In this episode, Coach Kooley discusses the difference between potential and performance, and how balancing these elements is critical for sustainable success. She explains potential as what you can do based on your abilities and skills, while performance is what you achieve by applying those abilities. Coach Kooley explains the importance of avoiding the "Peter Principle" trap of promoting based...

In this episode, Coach Kooley celebrates the first anniversary of launching the Pivot to Joy podcast, coinciding with her birthday! She reflects on her journey, from the early days of midnight tax filing runs with her mom to embracing her birthday to celebrate being alive and spreading joy to her loved ones. Coach Kooley shares insights on "career risk triggers," predictable milestones like birthd...

In this episode, Coach Kooley shares five key strengths she has identified through the Clifton Strengths Assessment - individualization, context, maximizer, learner, and discipline. She explains how each strength manifests in her unique approach as a coach, helping her create personalized solutions, draw on diverse experiences, focus on excellence, cultivate curiosity, and foster productivity thro...

In this episode, Coach Kooley shares her journey through 2023, a year that was filled with successes and also brought unexpected challenges along with valuable lessons. She opens up about her experience of parting ways with Microsoft, grappling with health issues related to perimenopause, and the resulting emotional journey that momentarily dimmed her confidence and she lost her “groove”. With res...

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Lynne Varner, CEO of Washington STEM, who shares her journey of pivoting from politics to journalism and higher education, highlighting the importance of authenticity and embracing one's uniqueness. The conversation touches on imposter syndrome, mentorship, and the value of having a supportive network that advocates for your growth even when you're not in...

In this episode, Coach Cooley is joined by Cristina Costa, a passionate advocate for empowering people of color in their careers. Coach Cooley and Cristina connect over their shared experiences living and working abroad. Cristina shares her story, starting from her college years and her transformative service trip to Japan and Spain.  They delve into the differences between work cultures in J...

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Amelia Pleasant, a certified life coach, professional organizer, and CEO of A Pleasant Solution.  Amelia discusses her unique approach to decluttering that focuses on the emotional aspects of organization. Coach Kooley and Amelia explore the challenges faced by women due to societal expectations, leading to overwhelm and burnout. The conversation cov...

Welcome to another incredible Pivot to Joy Podcast's Summer of Success Series episode. In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Elan Bailey, a transformational leadership coach and organizational development consultant. Coach Kooley and Elan reflect on personal journeys' messy and non-linear nature, highlighting the importance of self-discovery and integration.  Elan shares her story, from...

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Ajee Cook, the CEO and founder of Done & Done. In their conversation, they discuss Ajee's story and the importance of pivots, success, and delegation. Ajee shares her journey, starting at seven when she had to pivot due to her father's sudden passing and finding a new guardian. She talks about her experience at Lincoln University, where she found a sense...

In this episode, coach Kooley is joined by Valerie Louissaint, a Haitian-American people strategy professional and emotional intelligence practitioner. Coach Kooley and Valerie delve into the power of emotional intelligence and its impact on personal and professional growth. Valerie shares her journey of discovering the importance of emotional intelligence during her college years, thanks to her f...