What happens when your finances fall apart—and instead of breaking down, you rebuild the system that failed you? In episode 236 of Joy Found Here, Lacy Garcia, founder and CEO of Willow, shares how a personal financial crisis and single motherhood inspired her to redefine financial advising. With honesty and insight, she shows that true empowerment with money begins with empathy and education—not spreadsheets—and that taking control of your finances is really about reclaiming confidence, independence, and joy.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• When life “blew up” and money shame surfaced (04:13)
• Breaking the silence around women and money (04:38)
• Divorce, single motherhood, and a new mission (05:37)
• The three E’s: empathy, education, empowerment (07:20)
• Baby steps to build financial confidence (10:08)
• Busting money myths and budget guilt (15:57)
• Turning crisis into a company with purpose (16:52)
• Independence, relationships, and self-worth (29:24)
• Teaching kids the truth about money (35:54)
• Finding joy through financial clarity (43:05)

As the Founder and CEO of Willow, Lacy Garcia is redefining financial advising for women and next-generation investors. With over 15 years in wealth management, she saw how few advisors truly understand the emotional and cultural realities of money—especially for women and underrepresented groups. Through Willow, she built an award-winning platform focused on empathy, education, and empowerment, connecting clients with advisors who listen, guide, and build confidence without judgment. A proud Cuban-American and single mom, Lacy’s mission is to make financial confidence accessible to everyone—because wealth-building isn’t about privilege, it’s about awareness and action.

In this episode, Lacy shares how a mid-thirties financial crisis following divorce inspired her to create Willow and break the silence around women and money. She offers simple, sustainable steps—like automating savings, tracking expenses, and maximizing employer matches—and reminds listeners that it’s never too late to start. Together with Stephanie, she explores financial independence, teaching kids about money, and how neglecting self-care can cost more than dollars. Through her story, Lacy shows that taking control of your finances is one of the most powerful paths to freedom, confidence, and lasting joy.

Connect with Lacy Garcia:

• Trust Willow Website
• Willow Talk on YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if healing your body has less to do with food and more to do with your thoughts? In episode 235 of Joy Found Here, returning guest Natalia Garcia reveals why true wellness begins in the mind. A functional medicine practitioner and dietitian, she shares how awareness, self-compassion, and emotional regulation can transform health from the inside out—proving that when you shift within, your body follows.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The mind-body connection redefined (02:42)
• A divine download on joy and presence (04:01)
• Healing starts with awareness (08:49)
• Beyond meal plans and quick fixes (12:06)
• Reversing autoimmunity from within (17:51)
• Letting your inner compass lead (21:46)
• Spotting self-sabotage in daily habits (30:11)
• The mindset of true healers (32:39)
• Breaking the stress addiction (34:42)
• Consistency, compassion, and calm (39:44)

As a registered dietitian, licensed nutritionist, and functional medicine practitioner, Natalia Garcia helps people heal from the inside out. Through her practice, FN Wellness, she blends science-based nutrition with mindfulness and emotional awareness to address the root causes of imbalance in the gut, hormones, and mind. Her approach combines functional testing, personalized nutrition, and mindset work to help clients break free from limiting beliefs, regulate their nervous systems, and build a sustainable relationship with food and themselves. She believes true wellness begins within and that reconnecting with the body’s innate intelligence unlocks deep healing.

In this episode, Natalia shares a powerful message on joy, presence, and self-awareness, urging listeners to look beyond diets and quick fixes to the thoughts and emotions shaping their health. She explains how stress, negative self-talk, and unconscious habits keep people stuck—and how awareness, consistency, and compassion create lasting transformation. From autoimmune healing to mindset shifts, Natalia’s grounded wisdom reminds us that when we change within, everything else follows.

Connect with Natalia Garcia:

• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the moment that nearly broke you became the one that set you free? In episode 234 of Joy Found Here, author Megan Michelle shares how life-saving open-heart surgery became the spark for her debut novel Skylark. What began as weeks of darkness turned into a flood of inspiration—a story that would change her life and redefine her purpose. Through heartbreak, healing, and courage, Megan found her voice and a powerful reminder that sometimes the hardest detours lead us exactly where we’re meant to go.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• From heart surgery to storytelling (02:59)
• The “dark room download” that sparked Skylark (03:56)
• A spiritual shift from fear to faith (08:12)
• Losing a marriage, finding herself (12:34)
• Writing as healing and purpose (16:40)
• Meet Rachel Riker, the first female Navy SEAL (17:07)
• When psychology meets storytelling (22:52)
• Turning fiction into advocacy (24:28)
• Editing, community, and creative growth (32:47)
• Trusting divine detours (38:13)

Megan Michelle is the author of Skylark and Born in Blood, the first two novels in The Seal Saga—a blend of romance, action, and emotional depth. With a background in clinical psychology, she draws on her studies of grief and trauma, her family’s military roots, and her recovery from open-heart surgery to craft stories rooted in resilience and empowerment. Her work champions strong female leads and advocates for mental health, women’s strength, and creative freedom within the military community.

In this episode, Megan reveals how Skylark was born during her recovery—typed out on her phone in the dark after surgery when she couldn’t even look at a screen. What started as a spontaneous download became the story of Rachel Riker, the first female Navy SEAL fighting global patriarchy. The experience transformed Megan’s life, leading her to leave her marriage and corporate career to follow her true calling as a writer. Through her series, she channels psychology, spirituality, and storytelling into one purpose: turning pain into power and inspiring others to listen when the universe nudges them toward change.

Connect with Megan Michelle:

• Website
• Instagram
• Get Megan’s books!

Let's Connect:

• Website
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.