The Project: More Happy Podcast

Sleep isn’t lazy. It’s leadership. And if you’ve ever worn exhaustion like a badge of honor, this is your wake-up call. Burnout doesn’t make you stronger. It makes you slower, foggier and less capable of the impact you’re here to create. In this episode, I’m joined by LaShasta Bell—licensed counselor, certified sleep science coach and founder of the Optimal Life framework—for a myth-busting conver...

We talk a lot about leadership in boardrooms, but what about the leadership that happens in living rooms? In this conversation, I’m joined by Soraiya Bodhi and Nishma Karim —two powerhouse educators, mothers, and co-creators of The Light Movement , a global community dedicated to raising conscious children by first raising conscious adults. Together, we unpack what it means to lead with love—not j...

Happy Leaders don’t wait until they “feel ready.” They show up as their whole selves—awkward, empowered and unfiltered. Because confidence? It’s not a personality trait. It’s a leadership skill. In this episode, I’m joined by Kinzie Elizabeth (they/she), founder of The Empowerment Studio, for a game-changing conversation about what it really takes to feel good in your body, on camera and in your l...

Happy leadership isn’t about being liked. It’s about being real. It’s about knowing your worth—and having the courage to back yourself in rooms that weren’t built for you. Because you can’t lead with impact if you keep silencing yourself to keep the peace. This week, I’m joined by Neelu Kaur—executive coach, inclusion advocate and author of Be Your Own Cheerleader—for a firestarter conversation on...

We’re told to be confident. To take up space. To lead boldly. But what if the world you’re leading in was built to keep you small? In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Tamara White—psychologist, coach and founder of The Courageous Woman Effect—for a deeply honest conversation about what it really takes to lead with courage when the pressure to stay quiet, grateful and overextended is everywhere...

Let’s be honest, most leadership advice still centers on productivity hacks and performance metrics and ignores the actual humans doing the work. But if you want to lead a team that’s engaged, resilient and driving real results, you need more than dashboards and deadlines. You need clarity, curiosity and a set of metrics that actually reflect what matters. This week, I’m joined by executive coach...

Let’s talk about one of the most overlooked forces in your leadership: your relationship with money. In this episode, I sit down with Micah James—nonprofit leader, financial coach and deeply human guide—to unpack why financial clarity is foundational for confident, compassionate leadership. Because the truth is, you can’t show up fully for others if you’re weighed down by stress, shame or confusio...

If you're still believing emotional intelligence is a soft skill, this conversation will flip that script for good. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Manoj Krishna—former spine surgeon and founder of the HappierMe app—to unpack one of the most overlooked leadership levers of our time: your emotional mind. This isn’t just about mindfulness. This is about learning to lead without the emotional chao...

Hosted by Jessica Lyonford, best-selling author of The Happy Leader Playbook Let’s be real: you can have the planner, the title, the goals—but if you’re still second-guessing yourself every step of the way, you’re not actually leading. You’re performing. This episode is a full-body permission slip to stop outsourcing your power—and start trusting the voice that matters most: your own. I’m joined b...

Too often, we get stuck waiting—waiting to feel motivated, waiting for circumstances to change, waiting for someone else to make the first move. But what if we flipped the script? What if we built the psychological flexibility to adapt, take ownership, and move forward—no matter what life throws our way? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Carrie Johansson, a psychologist, speaker, and author who...

In a world that often pushes individual success over collective growth, how do we create communities that truly support and uplift us? In this episode, I sit down with Megan Bozzuto , President of the International Association of Women (IAW), to explore what it means to build purposeful community —one that fosters connection, collaboration and confidence. Megan shares her unexpected journey into l...

What if leadership wasn’t about doing more but about energizing more? In this special episode, bestselling author and publishing expert Suzanne Doyle-Ingram flips the script and interviews me, Jessica Lyonford, founder of Project More Happy and author of The Happy Leader Playbook. Together, we dive into the science of happiness in leadership and why positive energy is the ultimate competitive adva...

What if you could transform every relationship in your life—starting with the one you have with yourself? In this episode, I sit down with Wendy Watson , a spiritual relationship mentor and fifth-generation entrepreneur, to explore how conscious connection can reshape the way we experience love, communication, and even success. Relationships aren’t just about other people—they include your relatio...

In a world of constant disruption, how can businesses grow in a way that is both strategic and sustainable? In this episode, I sit down with Heidi Hattendorf , an award-winning marketing executive and business strategist, to explore the future of authentic business growth. With a career spanning Fortune 100 companies, high-growth startups, and innovative tech industries, Heidi has helped leaders s...

In this heartwarming episode, voiceover artist and storyteller Jennifer Clark shares how she uses her voice to build empathy, connection and kindness in the world. From her professional journey to the launch of her new podcast, Humankindness at Work , Jennifer reveals how curiosity and compassion can transform lives and communities. In this episode you'll hear: 🌟 How storytelling bridges diff...

In this inspiring episode, Jackie Roby, relationship mindset coach and founder of Inspire Journey Consulting, shares her powerful journey of overcoming self-doubt and reawakening her dreams. Jackie helps high-achieving women of color and allies break free from hustle culture and step into their full potential through what she calls "The Dream Factory"—a space of possibility where dreams are nurtur...

In this episode, I sit down with Vicki Landers, a healthcare advocate, coach and consultant, to explore the future of human-centered healthcare. Vicki’s deep expertise in leadership and healthcare transformation brings a fresh, essential perspective to how we approach patient care, leadership and personal growth within the healthcare system. We discuss the need for a shift in how healthcare profes...

In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Addison, the founder of Breadcrumbz, to discuss her mission of empowering young girls to navigate life's challenges with confidence and authenticity. Shannon, an author, speaker, entrepreneur and mom, shares how her children's brand—featuring books, interactive problem-solving packets and more—helps girls build emotional intelligence, self-expression and me...

In this episode, Kristi Carter Weil of First Watch Consulting Group joins me to discuss a pressing issue: the importance of mental health in ensuring our first responders can show up as their best selves during times of crisis. 00:26 - Meet Kristi 06:14 - Trauma and the Brain 09:44 - Critical Incident Exposure Stat 12:56 - Current Mental Health Landscape 17:05 - Decrease Stigma, Increase Access 20...

In this episode, Sandra Kenly of Invest in You LLC joins me to talk about the importance of personal development and share her vision for our collective future. 00:00 - Introduction 01:02 - Meet Sandra Kenly 04:49 - Mind-blowing stat 🤯 09:28 - Ocean wave mindset 12:37 - A future of joy and abundance 16:26 - The importance of communication 19:20 - Seeking to understand 21:52 - Deposit and deplete...

In this episode, Michael Carmona of KCSourceLink joins me to talk about entrepreneurial-led economic development and to share KCSourceLink's vision for our collective future. 00:00 - Introduction 00:38 - Meet Michael Carmona 01:01 - KCSourceLink 07:10 - The impact of entrepreneurial-led economic development 10:06 - Equity in building community ecosystems 12:52 - Kansas City’s special sauce 15:...

In this episode, Julie Cortés of The Freelance Exchange of Kansas City joins me to talk about all things self-employment and to share her vision for our collective future. 00:00 - Introduction 01:08 - Meet Julie Cortés 03:33 - Building what she needed 06:24 - Gig economy growth 09:16 - The importance of community 12:12 - The isolation factor 15:00 - The power to change 19:30 - Global society of ba...

In this vibrant episode, we dive into the world of joyful living with Suzanne Castle, the creator of THE SPARKLE FACTOR®. Suzanne, a best-selling author, speaker and creator, blends brain science and possibility thinking to help people break free from overwhelm and embrace their full potential. 🎙️ In this conversation, we explore: The art of joyful decision-making Mastering the mental game to beco...

Imagine a world where what you wear can positively impact your mental health and empower everyone you interact with daily. In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Kimberly Wilkerson, founder of Token Clothing Co., to explore how fashion can be a powerful tool for women's empowerment. Kimberly shares her vision of "Intelligent Fashion" and how Token Clothing Co. is revolutionizing...

Imagine teachers and school leaders that are supported, celebrated and empowered to share their gifts with the next generation. Join us on the latest episode of the Project: More Happy Podcast as we explore the future of teaching with Education Consultant Dana Coleman. Dana and her team at Dana Coleman Consulting provide essential support and development for schools nationwide, specializing in lea...