Work Is Third

What does it mean to live without ego and lead with love? In this episode, Dawn sits down with Freddy Jackson , inspirational speaker and founder of the Love No Ego Foundation , to explore what it truly means to practice at life. From grounding in nature to creating the conditions for peace, Freddy shares how authenticity, curiosity, and courage shape his work mentoring youth and speaking across t...

Does your calendar spark joy? In this short, joy-filled clip, Jen Sacks , host of Small Things, Big Life , shares her take on Yes Days, saying no, and why her calendar glows bright yellow for workouts and joy. Dawn and Jen talk about parenting, boundaries, and the simple rituals that bring balance — like giving yourself permission to say yes to what matters most and no to what drains your energy....

When was the last time you really slowed down? In this conversation, Dawn sits down with Jen Sacks , host of Small Things, Big Life , to explore what it really means to pause, let go, and trust the messy middle. After nearly 20 years in the federal workforce, Jen is navigating a new season—learning how to rest without guilt, create new routines, and embrace the beauty of uncertainty. Together, the...

Feeling tired or stretched thin? This one’s your reminder to listen to your body and make room for the magic that comes when you rest. In this bonus clip, Your Dream Strategist Rashidat Odeyemi reminds us: “There's so many amazing things in this world to experience if we allow ourselves this space to do it.”The magic is in listening to your body, honoring what feels right, and letting go when it’s...

What if success wasn’t the goal—but joy was? In this uplifting episode, Your Dream Strategist Rashidat Odeyemi joins Dawn to explore what it means to create a soft life filled with alignment, curiosity, and celebration. Together they unpack burnout recovery, the myths of hustle culture, and how to rehydrate your “dreaming gland.” From roller coasters to rest, Rashidat reminds us that we can plan o...

How do you keep growing when life already feels full? In this bonus clip, Dawn and Jayden Aubryn explores what it means to stay curious, expressive, and grounded. From redefining continuing education to embracing creativity and self-reflection, this short conversation is full of reminders to celebrate progress—not perfection. Guest Info chaotichealing.org   tiseconsultingandtherapy.com @chaotic_he...

What if healing meant moving your body — joyfully, messily,and without judgment? In this episode, psychotherapist, personal trainer, and founder of Chaotic Healing , Jayden Aubryn joins Dawn to explore what it means to live intentionally, move intuitively, and reject all-or-nothing thinking. From their “Twerk for Trauma” course to their reflections on grief, celebration, and creative freedom, Jayd...

Want more energy? Start delegating! In this bonus clip from Work is Third , Danielle Roberts — the Anti-Career Coach — shares how outsourcing and delegation aren’t just for leaders, they’re for anyone who wants to protect their energy. From grocery delivery to hiring an assistant, Danielle and I talk about why letting go of certain tasks is a game-changer for boundaries, wellbeing, and joy. 💬Key...

Do you have the audacity to live life on your own terms? Danielle Roberts, known as the Anti-Career Coach, joins me for a raw and inspiring conversation about redefining our relationship to work, navigating grief, and choosing authenticity. Danielle shares her journey of becoming sober, the lessons she’s carried from losing her mom at a young age, and how those experiences shaped her philosophy on...

Do you have days where you just can't do it all? In this bonus clip, Cassandra Hill reminds us of the power of boundaries. Sometimes saying no is the most faithful yes you can give yourself. She shares how seasons of life impact our choices, the tension between good opportunities and divine purpose, and the importance of protecting your capacity. A reminder we all need: you can’t do it all — a...

What storms in life have shaped you? Master Life Coach, best-selling author, and speaker Cassandra Hill joins me to share her incredible journey of transformation. From corporate burnout and health challenges to building a life and career grounded in faith and resilience, Cassandra’s story is one of triumph through adversity. We talk about: ✨Planting seeds and trusting the process ✨How storms sh...

What small thing made YOU happy today? 🌸🌮 In this bonus clip, Dr. Brittany Peters shares her easy yes (showing up for community), her hard no (also showing up for community), and her daily practice of finding joy in small things — from tacos to BOGO flowers. She also reflects on the challenge of trusting intuition and taking action when you already know the answer.   Guest Info ·      Website: h...

Are you giving yourself the same energy you give to your job? In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Brittany Peters, behavioral health expert, licensed clinician, and educator, brings wisdom, humor, and deep vulnerability to the Work is Third podcast. We explore the socialization of productivity culture, the survival strategies that many high-achieving women carry into adulthood, and the importance...

Would someone describe you as a fluff ball? In this bonus clip, Joshua Jackson answers four lighthearted but revealing questions: what’s easy to say yes to, what’s hard to say no to, what he does well when it comes to joy and rest, and where he still struggles. His answers? Hope, joy, celebrating everything, and recognizing his own softness. It’s a vulnerable and uplifting reminder that joy is wor...

Have you ever been fun-employed? Joshua Jackson joins Work is Third for a conversation about confidence, worthiness, and the messy beauty of becoming. From “fun-employment” and financial struggles to lessons from elders and mentors, Joshua shares how self-love, grief, and joy are intertwined. We dive into the concept of “distress recordings” from re-evaluation co-counseling, explore the liberation...

What can a pizza party teach us about joy, boundaries, andasking for help? In this bonus clip, Alicia Justice shares why it’s always yes (and almost never no ) for her niece and nephews—and how that shapes the way she thinks about joy, boundaries, and asking for help. 💬Quote of Note: “Girl, sit your behind down and ask for help.” Themes: Auntie joy and liberation Saying yes and no with intention...

What can feather boas, therapy, and TikTok teach us about joy, boundaries, and belonging? In this edition of Work is Third, Dr. Alicia Justice talks about what it means to force joy when life feels heavy, the liberating power of therapy, and how self-expression through color and fashion becomes an act of resistance and self-love. Alicia shares stories of her journey: claiming space as a first gene...

What’s easy to say yes to — and why is it so hard to say no? In this bonus clip from my conversation with Gnora Mahs ,I ask my four favorite questions about boundaries, joy, and self-care. Gnora shares her insights on joy, boundaries, and self-care. She discusses her philosophy of saying yes to experiences, the challenges of saying no, and how she navigates work-life balance. With a humorous take...

Joy doesn’t just come from self-care — it grows when we invest in our communities. In this episode of Work is Third , I sit down with my friend and community-builder Gnora Mahs to talk about the surprising ways joy and connection show up in our lives. Gnora shares how baking sourdough bread for neighbors, making friends at the dog park, and even emailing city council about crosswalks can spark com...

Boundaries are a skill, and Veatrice shows us how to practice them with kindness. In this bonus clip from my conversation with Veatrice Farrell, we talk about the art of saying no without losing your kindness or your joy. Veatrice shares why boundaries are a learned skill, how TV shows can reflect the America we want to live in, and why sometimes a simple “no” is the most loving thing you can say....

"What if joy is the greatest form of resistance?" In this episode, I sit down with my friend and local advocate, Veatrice Farrell, for a conversation that blends history, identity, race, religion, and a whole lot of joy. Veatrice is a two-time cancer survivor whose outlook on life is as grounded as it is uplifting. We talk about reframing challenges, setting boundaries, embracing joy as...

Say yes to new experiences and no to guilt-driven expectations. In this bonus clip, LaVonna Roth talks about her love of new experiences, her evolving relationship with fitness and movement, and the constant challenge of managing focus in a digital world. From social media time limits to perfectionist to-do lists, this conversation is equal parts real and refreshing.   🎧 Highlights include: Why s...

How much control do you really have over your time—and your mindset? In this episode, LaVonna Roth joins Dawn to talk about the tension between productivity and presence, guilt and growth. They dive into boundary-setting as an act of self-trust, rethinking what makes a “successful” day, and why perfectionism still shows up even when we think we’ve conquered it. From the power of pause to the reali...

“Sometimes just showing up in your paint-stained apron is the win.” In this funny and heartfelt bonus clip, Carmen reflects on the ease of showing up for others—and how she's learning to show up for herself, too. From therapy tips to fried rice and Drag Race, she shares how friends who say “I’m proud of you” for the little things can change everything. It’s a love letter to alone-but-together...

“You don’t need to earn your joy.” How do we keep joy at the center of our lives, especially when the world tells us to be productive instead? In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, I sit down with my dear friend Carmen Price Carrillo to talk about joy, boundaries, and all the things we’re allowed to do simply because they make us happy. From national park road trips to pottery Thursdays and...