Today I'm sharing what might be the most important conversation of this entire Joy First season. I had the incredible honor of sitting down with Rha Goddess – organizational soul coach, author, and one of the wisest voices I've encountered on the subject of intentional, purpose-driven work.

This conversation couldn't be more timely. As we navigate economic uncertainty, political chaos, and the ongoing aftermath of a pandemic that changed everything about how we view work, Rha's insights offer both a challenge and a permission slip.

The Great Resignation

What happens when 50 million people quit their jobs, and then another 50 million the following year? What are we all sensing and seeking in this massive reshuffling of priorities? And most importantly – how do we move forward when we know we're not going back?

Rha's new book "Intentional Ambition" explores exactly this territory, diving deep into what it means to renegotiate our relationship with work after the Great Resignation. But this isn't just about finding better work-life balance – it's about a fundamental shift in how we define success, ambition, and the role work plays in our lives.

One of my favorite quotes from Rha in this episode responded with: "If it ain't joyful, I ain't doing it." This speaks to my soulllll. Not just a cute boundary – this statement is a radical act of resistance in a world that has conditioned us to de-prioritize our joy and happiness.

We explore the fierce nature of love (which is not what you might think), why comfort and joy are not synonymous, and how to distinguish between what she calls "wounded ambition" versus "true ambition."

Whether you're considering a career pivot, feeling burned out in your current role, or simply questioning the traditional definitions of success that never quite fit, this conversation offers both profound wisdom and practical guidance for creating a new relationship with work... a relationship where joy leads.

• The three stages we go through when redefining our relationship with work
• Why choosing joy is both a form of resistance and surrender
• How to use your energy (not just your time) as your compass for decision-making
• A simple daily practice to identify what's draining you vs. what's energizing you
• The difference between "wounded ambition" and "true ambition"
• Which discomfort might actually be growth in disguise

• Rha Goddess's new book: "Intentional Ambition"
• Move The Crowd website
• Rha Goddess website
• @RhaGoddess on all platforms: LinkedIn Instagram

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Today I'm chatting with one of my business besties, Nicole, who embodies everything this season of Joy First is about. After spending 13 years as a zookeeper making just over $30K/year at the peak of her career, Nicole started a family which led into a pivot into entrepreneurship. Since those first nervous steps into life as a photographer, she's built a profitable, truly scalable business that now allows her the income and freedom to travel internationally dozens of times a year, live the horse life: competing at shows alongside her teenage daughter, and even run a non-profit that in its first year managed to raise over a quarter million dollars for wildlife conservation.

One thing I love and admire about Nicole is how she's consistently leaned into what brings her joy—never what conventional wisdom said would make the most money. From becoming a pet photographer when "pet photography wasn't even a thing" to launching international photography retreats in castles and villas across Europe, she's built success by following her curiosity and pursuing passion.

In this episode dive deep into her transition from struggling photography business to online education empire, and how she's structured her life to accommodate her "neuro-spicy" tendencies that make doing repetitive tasks nearly impossible. Her super power is systems and let me tell you, she's a genius at it (I think spreadsheets might be her actual love language 😂)

You'll hear about a few of her most powerful "light bulb moments" and she shares candidly about how she balances it all: motherhood, entrepreneurship, the horses, the travel and her latest obsession: sourdough.

I love Nicole's version o joy first living and working— and I know it will inspire you to find your own route to build more wealth and impact your way: with more joy and freedom at the front.

• How Nicole's passion for animals led her from zookeeper to building a 6-figure pet photography business
• The moment she realized she could make $20K from one simple digital product and how it changed everything
• What particular type of revenue stream can create more stability and freedom for your business
• How her mastermind experience sparked a nonprofit that's now raised over $250K for wildlife conservation
• The systems she uses to run multiple businesses while traveling internationally

• Hair of the Dog Academy - Nicole's pet photography education business - https://hairofthedogacademy.com/
• Hair of the Dog Conservation Fund - Nicole's nonprofit supporting wildlife conservation - https://www.hodconservationfund.org/
• Nicole's Instagram: @nicolebigleyofficial - https://www.instagram.com/nicolebegleyofficial
• Learn more about Commercial Pet Photography (our joint venture) - https://learn.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial-registration
• Joy First Founders Circle - Join our private podcast to get bonus travel hacking content from Nicole (and lots more!) - https://go.joyfirstworld.com/JFFC

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I'm 100% committed to amplifying women's voices, but today I'm giving a shout-out to a few men who have shaped my approach to creating the freedom-filled, joy-centered business I run today. From the pioneer of psychology-driven marketing to the spiritual CEO who helped me finally escape my inbox, these "bros" are surprisingly solid. Each guy featured in this episode introduced me to frameworks and mindset shifts that transformed how I work—and how I create time for, sustain and expand my joy first ways of working.

In addition to naming names, I'm sharing the top strategies I've borrowed from their playbooks and adapted to create my joy-filled, profitable business model. You'll hear the highs & lows: the brick-and-mortar business that had me stuck, the time-for-money cycle that I feared I'd never escape, and how I created an online business that allowed me to live in Mallorca, Lake Como, and France - and travel all over the world exploring, while still serving my clients brilliantly.

I also reveal the unexpected encounter that led me to the 'bonus dude' (#6)—the billionaire who taught me the most profound lesson about joy and gifted me with a surprising lightbulb moment about the connection between play and productivity.

Whether you're curious about how to build a business model that supports the lifestyle you want, or you're looking for key strategic frameworks and tactics that work (without the typical toxic hustle culture), this episode bridges the gap between smart business tactics and joyful living.

Join me as I reveal which "marketing bro" advice I've kept, which I've modified, and how it all fits into creating a business that prioritizes joy without sacrificing results.

• The psychology framework that transformed my marketing (and how to use it ethically)
• The #1 secret ingredient that makes recurring revenue businesses actually retain members
• The big shift I made back in 2016 that is probably the most joyful business decision I've ever made
• The simple funnel filler that's bringing us 800-2,000 leads monthly
• The brand-related must-have that one bro (with 8 exits to his name) says is the #1, #2, and #3 most important factor in business success
• The unexpected secret to access bigger, clearer CEO thinking

• My Colour Brand Personality Quiz
• Book: "Launch"
• "The Membership Experience"
• Mind Your Business Podcast
• Book: "Ask Method"
• Book: "Viral Hero"
• Apply for our rebrand experiences: Brand in a Week, Super Bloom + Creator Club
• Founders' Circle - Our substack-style community
• Score App (formerly bucket.io)

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What if your body knows something your mind hasn't yet recognized?

In this episode of Joy First, we are diving deep with Human Design business strategist Jazze Jervis into a revolutionary approach to work and life that challenges everything you've been taught about productivity and success. What we discovered might explain why certain business strategies leave you drained while others feel energizing.

Together we explore the one-size-fits-all business advice—the kind that has you doubting your abilities when the real issue might be something entirely different. Because here's what most business coaches won't tell you: what works brilliantly for one person might be actively harmful for another.

In this episode Jazze introduces a framework for understanding your unique energy blueprint that goes beyond personality types or work preferences. This isn't about minor adjustments to your schedule—it's about fundamentally reimagining how you approach everything from decision-making to marketing.

There's a moment in our conversation where Jazze reveals why some people thrive with spontaneity while others need structure—and it has nothing to do with discipline or mindset. This insight alone might explain years of struggle you've experienced trying to follow systems that were never designed for your energy type.

What could become possible when you stop fighting against your natural rhythms? What opens up when you build a business aligned not only joy first decision-making, but also with how you're designed to create?

This conversation is for the entrepreneur who's done everything "right" but still feels misaligned. It's for anyone who's ever wondered why conventional wisdom about success feels like a path to burnout rather than fulfilment.

In a world that profits from your self-doubt, understanding your design becomes an act of defiance. It's permission to trust the wisdom your body has been trying to share all along.

This isn't just business theory. It's the ULTIMATE joy first way to work.

This is about creating work that doesn't just make freedom, it feels like freedom.

[ Join Founders' Circle to get instant access to the Bonus Content from this episode ]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jazzejervis_/

Find your Human Design Energy Type: https://www.jazzejervis.com.au/generate-your-chart

Request her Design Guide: DM her 'Design Guide' on Instagram

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In this episode of Joy First, I sit down with Paige who challenges the frantic, scattered approach that leaves so many entrepreneurs exhausted. We deep dive into her #1 productivity hack (which isn't a hack at all) — and discuss the how's and why's of the freedom it's created for her.

During our conversation, Paige shares the moment she realized most business owners build their dreams on quicksand. She was doing it too—until a radical shift in her approach to both web design and decision-making changed everything.

What struck me most was Paige's counterintuitive approach to social media. While most business gurus push omnipresence across platforms, Paige does things differently. She explains why this conventional wisdom might be the very thing holding you back and shares her alternative: which feels like a quiet little rebellion that gives her permission to breathe.

Since we're both expats, of course we have to cover the topic of living in Europe—a choice that seems impractical on paper but has aligned perfectly for both of us and our her joy first living and working. When it comes to location independence; it's all about the courage and commitment it takes to to design your business around your life (instead of sacrificing your life for your business).

We explore what becomes possible when you stop diluting your energy and instead channel it where it matters most. Paige's approach to "charging what you're worth" isn't what you might expect—and it challenges the core of how many of us price our services.

In a world that profits from your divided attention, this conversation about Paige's way of joy first working is a cheerful little act of defiance. What might become possible in your business when you stop chasing every opportunity and start focusing on what truly brings you joy?

Listen on joyfirstworld.com >

Paige's Website: https://www.paigebrunton.com/

Paige's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PaigeBrunton

More about Paige's Free Bootcamp: https://jnicholesmith--paigebrunton.thrivecart.com/checkout/62de7e23c3706/

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Well Season 1 has come to an end - thanks for joining us! Season 2, 'Joy First ways of Working' will be back March 12th 🧡

Learn more about Founders Circle:

https://go.joyfirstworld.com/JFFC

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

• Joy vs. Evil
• Finding Winter Joy with Colour and Ayurveda
• 10 Joy Recipes for the New Year

Visit the Previous Podcast:

Joy Colour Impact & Dogs: (on iTunes) & (on spofity)

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Have you ever stopped to think about how the colours you wear, see, and surround yourself with shape the way you feel—and how others see you? Now... how about how they relate to the colour of your skin?

Join Dr. Lynne Maureen Hurdle, Justin Nai'im Hurdle-Price and I for a deep, thought-provoking conversation about how colour intertwines with identity, race, culture, and self-expression.Together, we unravel some of the unspoken truths about how colour impacts our lives, from the emotions it evokes to the stories it tells about who we are.

But here’s where it gets really interesting—how do we navigate colour when it’s tied to something as complex as race or cultural programming? What does it mean to embrace blackness and whiteness in a world that doesn’t often celebrate diversity? And why do some of us hesitate to wear bold colours - why are we so afraid of standing out?

This is not one of our typical discussions about colour psychology. It’s a raw, honest exploration of why colour matters on a much deeper level, especially for people of colour who are constantly having to navigate predominantly white spaces. In this episode we dig in to unspoken rules, fears, and societal pressures—but also how breaking through these obstacles can lead to more freedom, more joy, and a stronger connection to who we really are.

You’ll hear us dive into how colour can ground us, comfort us, or even hold us back. We challenge ideas like “I don’t see colour” and perhaps most importantly, we celebrate how diversity and individuality enrich our lives. Are you ready to see colour in a whole new way?

Let’s explore together.

Links for Dr.Lynne:

Website

On the Matter of Race

Dealing with Whiteness Episodes (from previous podcast: Joy, Colour, Impact and Dogs)

• Introduction to Dealing with Whiteness
• Unpacking the Myth of Perfectionism
• Why is the Pet Industry so White?
• Truth about the word "Woke"
• Talking to your Kids about Racism

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What can it look like to put joy back in our relationship with Food? In my Joy First journey I've definitely embraced comfort food and that food is a REALLY important part of my joy... so I think this conversation is SUPER important. So today we're chatting with Laura Lacey Nutritionist and Health Coach for Women (specializing in Perimenopause & Menopause) Laura believes in wellness, nutrition, science and compassion.

Today Laura and I are diving in to a delicious conversation about 'eating the rainbow'. We're exploring the ways food gives us clues about its goodness (as well as discussing the 'bad foods'). If you're feeling drawn to eating more wholesome, real foods... modifying what you feed your body... improving your gut health, or losing weight... or if you're simply interested in learning more about what we eat - you're going to LOVE this episode.

We're going to go 'colour by colour' through the rainbow of food available to us, what to eat more of, and what to avoid, based on its phytochemicals (the stuff that gives fruit and veg its colour).

Recent related episode with Dr.Janna Scharfenberg (touching-on Ayurvedic nutrition)

https://joyfirstworld.com/blogs/joy-first-podcast/finding-winter-joy-with-colour-ayurveda-episode-7

Learn more about Laura and her practice:

visit www.lauralacey.com

To receive weekly tips from Laura about nutrition and menopause subscribe to the Menopause Musings Newsletter:

https://www.lauralacey.com/newsletter

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