Episodes
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In this episode of The Joy CEO Podcast, Lori Pine explores what it truly means to find your North Star, the simple truth she arrived at after decades spent surviving a demanding career and raising her sons, with little room for a bigger question. Her north star today is radically small on purpose: help one person. In every phone call, coaching session, Connect gathering, and speaking event, that's the only question she's answering. .
This episode also challenges the common misconception that joy is something we earn once life is perfect. Lori explains why joy is different from happinessâit isn't dependent on circumstances, and it can exist alongside grief, uncertainty, or struggle. This episode makes the case that joy is the strategy, not the consolation prize, and closes with a direct question for the listener: who is the one person in front of you today, and what would it look like to let that be enough?
If you've been questioning your purpose, feeling disconnected from your work, or wondering what really matters, this episode offers a powerful invitation to return to yourself.
đ Key Takeaways:Your North Star Isn't Found Outside of YouTitles, promotions, money, and recognition may feel like the destination, but they rarely provide lasting fulfillment. Your North Star is discovered by looking inward and identifying what truly gives your life meaning.
Helping One Person Is EnoughLori shares how shifting from trying to reach everyone to intentionally helping one person changed everything. One conversation, one client, one post, or one act of encouragement can create a ripple effect you may never fully see.
Ego Chases Performance. Purpose Creates Impact.There was a season when Lori believed saying "yes" to everything was the path to success. Looking back, she recognizes how ego often disguises itself as ambition. Real leadership comes from alignment, not constant proving.
Joy Is Different Than HappinessHappiness depends on circumstances. Joy lives underneath every circumstance. It doesn't erase grief, disappointment, or uncertaintyâbut it can exist alongside them and guide how we lead.
Small Daily Wins Build Real ConfidenceInstead of measuring success by external milestones, Lori encourages listeners to audit the moments where they honored their values, kept promises to themselves, or made a meaningful difference.
Let Joy Become Your Leadership StrategyJoy isn't a reward reserved for after successâit becomes the strategy that helps you make better decisions, stay grounded, and lead with authenticity instead of exhaustion.
đ Mentioned in the Episode:The concept of finding your personal North Star as your guiding purpose.The distinction between joy and happiness, and why joy is available regardless of circumstances.Lori's personal journey through career success, loss, survival seasons, and redefining leadership.The "One Person Mission"âmeasuring success by lives impacted rather than followers, titles, or recognition.Daily self-audits as a way to build confidence, self-trust, and self-esteem.
⨠Reflection Prompts:What has been your North Star up until nowâand is it still serving you?Are your biggest decisions being driven by purpose or by performance?Where have you been measuring success by someone else's definition?What would it look like to help just one person today?If joy became your strategy instead of your reward, how would your leadership change?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:Women leaders redefining what success looks like.Professionals who feel successful on paper but disconnected internally.High achievers recovering from burnout or constant striving.Entrepreneurs and executives searching for deeper purpose.Anyone wanting to lead with greater intention, joy, and lasting impact.
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
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Summary:
In part two of this deeply personal series, host Lori Pyne shares how a collapse outside a New York deli became the wake-up call that changed the trajectory of her life and leadership.
After years of chasing achievement, identity, and external validation, Lori began the inner work that would eventually shape her philosophy that joy isn't separate from successâit fuels it.
This episode explores the hidden cost of tying your worth to your title, the discomfort that comes when high achievers slow down, and why so many women instinctively fill empty space with more work instead of reflection. Lori shares practical tools for regulating your nervous system, breaking free from people-pleasing, and reconnecting with the person underneath the performance.
If you've built a successful life but still feel exhausted, disconnected, or unsure who you are outside of what you doâthis episode is for you.
đ Key Takeaways:The Identity Trap Is RealMany ambitious leaders become so attached to their titles, achievements, and image that they lose sight of who they are outside of work.
When your identity becomes your role, every setback feels personalâand stepping away feels impossible.
Audience follow-up â If your job title disappeared tomorrow, how would you describe yourself?
The Void Isn't the ProblemâIt's the InvitationWhen high achievers finally slow down, they often encounter what Lori calls "the void"âan uncomfortable space where busyness no longer distracts from deeper questions.
The instinct is often to fill that space with more doing. Growth begins when you stay long enough to listen.
Audience follow-up â What have you been avoiding by staying busy?
Your Worth Is Not Your ProductivityLori challenges the belief that value comes from output, achievement, or being the person everyone depends on.
Grounded leadership comes from presence, not constant performance.
Audience follow-up â Where are you measuring your value by what you produce rather than who you are?
It's Time for a Corporate ExorcismPeople-pleasing, perfectionism, over-functioning, and saying yes when you mean no aren't leadership strengthsâthey're survival strategies.
Leadership in alignment requires boundaries, even when they disappoint other people.
Audience follow-up â What boundary have you been avoiding because you're afraid of letting someone down?
Your Nervous System Needs Leadership TooStress isn't only a mindset issueâit's physical.
Lori shares practices that helped her regulate her body and return to herself, including breathwork, yoga, time in nature, movement, and intentionally seeking moments of awe.
Audience follow-up â What helps your body feel safe enough to slow down?
Small Habits Create Big ShiftsTransformation rarely happens through dramatic change.
Micro-habits practiced consistently create sustainable leadership and lasting wellbeing.
Audience follow-up â What's one small daily habit that would help you reconnect with yourself this week?
Healing Doesn't Happen AloneTherapy, coaching, retreats, and supportive communities can provide the space and mirrors we often can't create for ourselves.
Growth accelerates when you're surrounded by people committed to becoming more fully themselves.
Audience follow-up â Who supports the version of you you're becoming?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:The Identity Trap â when achievement and titles become your entire sense of self.The Void â the uncomfortable space that appears when busyness stops and self-reflection begins.Corporate Exorcism â Lori's framework for releasing people-pleasing, perfectionism, and over-functioning.Nervous System Regulation Practices â including breathwork, yoga, movement, nature, and awe.Micro-Habits â small, repeatable actions that support sustainable change.Therapy, Retreats, and Community â essential support structures for long-term growth and alignment.
⨠Reflection Prompts:Who am I when I'm not producing, performing, or achieving?What am I using work to avoid feeling?Where do I need stronger boundaries to protect my energy?What brings me genuine joyâand when was the last time I made space for it?What would leadership look like if I stopped proving and started aligning?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:High-performing women who feel exhausted despite their successLeaders navigating burnout or questioning their identity outside workExecutives ready to lead from alignment rather than obligationProfessionals working to overcome people-pleasing and perfectionismAnyone curious about the connection between nervous system health, joy, and sustainable leadership
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
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Missing episodes?
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Summary:
In this deeply personal episode, I share the story that became the foundation of The Joy CEO. Itâs a story I donât tell oftenâone that begins in 2008 when I was juggling a new leadership role near New York City, relocating across the country, navigating a divorce, and raising two young boys.
On the outside, I looked like I had everything under control. On the inside, my body was sounding alarms I refused to hear.
After months of stress, sleep deprivation, and pushing through exhaustion, I collapsed outside a deli and woke up in the back of an ambulance after experiencing a grand mal seizure. That moment forced me to confront a truth so many high-achieving women face: just because you can carry it all doesnât mean you should.
In this episode, I explore the hidden cost of high performance, the warning signs we often ignore, and why joy is not a luxuryâitâs a leadership strategy. I also share research showing that leaders who cultivate joy and wellbeing are more productive, creative, and resilient than those operating from constant stress and survival mode.
This is part one of a two-part series on the real origin story of The Joy CEO and the inner transformation that changed everything.
đ Key Takeaways:High Performance Can Hide a Breaking PointMany ambitious women become so skilled at carrying responsibility that they stop recognizing when theyâre overwhelmed.
Your Body Often Knows Before Your Mind DoesStress doesn't always show up as a breakdown. It can appear as exhaustion, headaches, anxiety, poor sleep, irritability, or chronic tension long before a crisis occurs.
Survival Mode Is Not Sustainable LeadershipOperating on adrenaline may create short-term results, but it comes at a cost. Constant hustle can disconnect you from creativity, clarity, and joy.
Joy Is a Leadership AdvantageResearch highlighted in this episode shows that leaders who experience greater wellbeing and positive emotions are more productive, innovative, and effective.
Self-Awareness Is the First Step Toward ChangeTransformation begins when we pause long enough to notice what's happening internally rather than pushing through discomfort.
You Don't Have to Earn RestMany high achievers believe rest is something they deserve only after achieving enough. This mindset often leads to burnout.
đ Mentioned in the Episode:Lori's 2008 grand mal seizure that became a turning point in her life and leadership journeyThe "I've Got It" high-performer mindsetThe impact of chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and emotional overloadResearch from Harvard and McKinsey on the connection between joy, wellbeing, productivity, creativity, and business performanceThe concept of joyful leadership as a sustainable alternative to hustle cultureThe upcoming Part Two episode exploring the inner work and mindset shifts that followed this life-changing experience
⨠Reflection Prompts:What warning signs have I been minimizing or ignoring?Where am I relying on willpower instead of support?What does my body need from me right now?How has stress affected the way I show up as a leader?If joy became a leadership priority, what would I do differently this week?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:High-achieving women balancing leadership, family, and personal challengesExecutives and professionals who feel successful but exhaustedLeaders experiencing stress, overwhelm, or early signs of burnoutWomen who are tired of carrying everything aloneAnyone seeking a more sustainable, joyful approach to success and leadership
đ Favorite Quote:"The very thing that made me successfulâthe belief that I could handle it allâwas the thing that nearly broke me."
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
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Summary:
In this episode, I share a realization that completely changed the way I think about leadership, confidence, and career growth: sometimes the problem isn't youâit's the room you're in.
For years, I believed that if I worked harder, proved myself more, and pushed through challenges, I could succeed anywhere. But looking back, I can see how certain environments quietly chipped away at my confidence while others helped me thrive.
Using the story of NBA star Jalen Brunson's transformation from being viewed as a supporting player in Dallas to becoming a franchise leader in New York, I explore how the right environment can unlock potential that was always there.
I also share my own experience working at Anheuser-Busch under leadership that made me question my value, and how everything changed when I joined Coca-Cola and found a culture where my strengths were recognized and supported.
If you've been feeling stuck, overlooked, or like you're constantly proving yourself, this episode is a reminder that sometimes growth doesn't require becoming someone differentâit requires finding a room where you can fully be yourself.
đ Key Takeaways:Your Environment Shapes Your ConfidenceThe room you're in has a powerful impact on how you see yourself. When your contributions are minimized or overlooked, it's easy to assume you're the problem.
Audience follow-up â Where in your life are you receiving signals that make you question your value?
Not All Feedback Is About YouSometimes what isn't being said is just as important as what is. The lack of support, opportunity, or recognition may reveal more about the environment than your abilities.
Audience follow-up â What "feedback" have you internalized that may actually be a reflection of the culture around you?
Great Leaders Build Around StrengthsThe Knicks didn't ask Jalen Brunson to become someone elseâthey built around what he already did well. Strong leaders and organizations create conditions where people can thrive.
Audience follow-up â Are your strengths being leveraged in your current role, or are you constantly compensating for weaknesses?
Self-Doubt Often Starts in the Wrong RoomRepeated exposure to environments that don't value your perspective can slowly erode confidence, even when you're highly capable.
Audience follow-up â Have you mistaken an environmental issue for a personal deficiency?
Sometimes Growth Requires a Different RoomThere comes a point when advocating for yourself isn't enough. If the environment refuses to change, it may be time to find a place where your value is recognized.
Audience follow-up â What would become possible if you stopped trying to convince the wrong people of your worth?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:Jalen Brunson â His journey from Dallas to New York and how the right environment unlocked his leadership potential.Anheuser-Busch â Lori's early leadership experience and lessons learned about workplace culture.The Coca-Cola Company â The environment where Lori rebuilt confidence and thrived professionally.Leadership environments and the hidden impact they have on confidence, performance, and career growth.
⨠Reflection Prompts:Where have I been blaming myself for something that was actually environmental?What messages am I receiving from the people and culture around me?Do I feel supported, valued, and seen in my current environment?What strengths do I bring that aren't being fully recognized?What would it look like to move toward a room that expands me instead of shrinking me?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:Women leaders who feel stuck despite working hardHigh performers questioning their confidence or capabilityProfessionals navigating difficult workplace culturesExecutives considering a career move or leadership transitionAnyone who has ever wondered, "Maybe I'm just not good enough"This episode is a reminder that your potential isn't determined by the room you're in. Sometimes the breakthrough comes when you stop questioning yourself and start questioning whether the environment is worthy of your gifts.
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
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Summary:
In this solo episode of The Joy CEO Podcast, Iâm sharing a conversation that hit me harder than I expected. A mentor once told me, âYour biggest problem is that you make it look easy.â At first, I took it as a compliment. But the more I reflected on it, the more I realized it was actually pointing to a hidden challenge many ambitious women face.
When youâre known as the person who always has it together, people stop checking in. And eventually, you stop checking in with yourself.
In this episode, I unpack what I call the Permission Problemâthe belief that because weâre capable, we shouldnât need support. I share my own experience leading a large, travel-heavy team while silently battling exhaustion, and why burnout isnât always about workload. Sometimes itâs about feeling like youâre not allowed to struggle.
If you've ever been the strong one, the reliable one, or the person everyone depends on, this episode is an invitation to stop performing fine and start being honest about what you need.
đ Key TakeawaysMaking It Look Easy Can Become a TrapFor years, I wore competence like armor. The problem? When you make everything look effortless, people assume you donât need help.
Audience follow-up â Where in your life are you performing strength instead of allowing support?
Burnout Isn't Always a Time Management ProblemResearch shows that burnout is rising among high performers, especially women leaders. The issue often isn't productivityâitâs carrying everything alone.
Audience follow-up â Are you overwhelmed because of your workload, or because you're trying to carry it without support?
The Strongest Person in the Room Still Needs SomeoneI share a season in 2019 when I was traveling constantly, leading a large team, and outwardly succeeding while privately feeling depleted.
Audience follow-up â Who knows how you're really doing right now?
Stop Performing Competence You Don't FeelThere's a difference between being capable and pretending everything is okay. Leadership doesn't require perfection.
Audience follow-up â What truth have you been editing out when someone asks, "How are you?"
Build an Inner Circle Before You Need OneWhether it's a partner, friend, therapist, mentor, or coach, every leader needs people who can hold space for honesty.
Audience follow-up â Do you have a circle where you can be fully yourselfânot just your professional self?
Permission Starts WithinNo title, promotion, or achievement will give you permission to rest, receive support, or be human. That permission has to come from you.
Audience follow-up â What would change if you gave yourself permission to ask for help today?
đ Mentioned in This EpisodeGallup workplace burnout researchMcKinsey research on women in leadershipLori's 2019 leadership experience managing a large, travel-heavy teamThe concept of the "Load-Bearing Wall" leaderBuilding a personal support system and inner circle
⨠Reflection PromptsHave I become so good at coping that people no longer know when I'm struggling?Where am I performing competence instead of telling the truth?Who are the people I trust enough to be honest with?What support do I need that I haven't asked for?What would it look like to pursue ambition without carrying everything alone?
đ§ Who This Episode Is ForHigh-achieving women in corporate leadershipEntrepreneurs carrying the weight of their business aloneLeaders experiencing burnout despite external successWomen who struggle to ask for helpAnyone who feels responsible for holding everything together
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
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Summary:In this inspiring and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with my friend and coaching client, Leanne Wynn Daviesâa Google sales leader, marathon runner, advocate, and someone who embodies what it means to go all in on a dream.Leanne shares her 11-year journey to qualifying for and finally running the Boston Marathon. What began as a near miss after her first New York City Marathon became a decade-long lesson in resilience, commitment, and refusing to settle for "good enough." Along the way, she faced race cancellations, missed opportunities, changing qualification standards, pregnancy, and countless setbacks.But this episode is about more than running. It's about what happens when we stop trying to do everything alone, invest in support, and decide that our goals are worth pursuing wholeheartedly.Whether you're chasing a personal milestone, leading a team, or wondering what your next level requires of you, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger about what's possible.đ Key Takeaways:Going All In Requires More Than EffortFor years, Leanne trained hard but approached marathon qualifying as something she'd figure out on her own. The breakthrough came when she decided to stop relying solely on effort and start investing in expertise.Hitting the Target Isn't Always EnoughOne of the most surprising moments in Leanne's journey came when she technically qualified for Bostonâonly to learn her time still wasn't fast enough because of the competitive cutoff.The lesson? In leadership and life, meeting expectations isn't always what creates opportunities. Sometimes you need to exceed them.Coaching Can Accelerate GrowthAfter one pivotal coaching session, Leanne hired a professional running coach, revamped her training and fueling strategy, and ultimately qualified by an impressive 11-minute margin.The right coach doesn't do the work for youâthey help you see what's possible and guide you toward it.No Big Goal Happens AloneFrom her husband and family to coaches, friends, and running communities, Leanne credits much of her success to the people who supported her journey.We often celebrate individual achievement, but behind every breakthrough is a team.Life Doesn't Follow the Timeline You PlannedJust after qualifying, Leanne became pregnant and deferred her Boston Marathon entry under the race's pregnancy and postpartum policy. Instead of seeing it as a setback, she embraced the season she was in and returned stronger.Sometimes progress looks different than we expectedâand that's okay.Purpose Makes the Journey Bigger Than YouLeanne's running journey is deeply connected to her advocacy for cystic fibrosis. Inspired by her sisters and her work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, she uses marathon fundraising to create impact beyond the finish line.Purpose has a way of carrying us through challenges that motivation alone can't sustain.đ Mentioned in the Episode:The Boston Marathon qualification process and competitive cutoff systemThe New York City Marathon, Chicago Marathon, London Marathon, Wilmington Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, and Boston MarathonProfessional run coaching and performance-based trainingPregnancy and postpartum race deferral policiesFundraising and advocacy through the Cystic Fibrosis FoundationLeadership lessons from sports, coaching, and personal growth⨠Reflection Prompts:What goal have you been pursuing halfway that deserves your full commitment?Where are you trying to succeed alone instead of asking for support?What would "all in" look like for your next level of growth?Are you measuring success by effortâor by results?Who could help you break through the ceiling you're currently facing?đ§ Who This Episode Is For:Leaders striving for their next level of growth and performanceProfessionals who want to stop doing everything aloneWomen balancing ambitious goals with changing life seasonsAthletes, runners, and anyone pursuing a long-term dreamPeople considering coaching, mentorship, or investing in personal developmentAnyone who needs a reminder that persistence, support, and purpose can take you further than talent aloneđŠ Want to Go Deeper?
Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
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Connect with Leanne on Linkedin
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Summary:
In this episode, I reflect on the hidden cost of wearing independence as a badge of honor and why Iâve come to believe community is essential for sustainable leadership. After years of moving cities for corporate opportunities and believing strength meant handling everything on my own, I realized my independence had quietly turned into isolation.
I share the moments that forced me to confront the limits of âdoing it all yourself,â from not knowing who to list as an emergency contact for my children to navigating divorce and the sudden loss of my mother. This conversation is an invitation to rethink what strength really looks like and why meaningful connectionânot isolationâis what truly supports ambitious women.
đ Key Takeaways:
Independence Isnât the Same as StrengthFor years, I believed being self-sufficient meant I was successful. But over time, I realized independence can become a coping mechanism that disconnects us from the support we actually need.
Audience follow-up â Where in your life have you mistaken isolation for strength?
Ambition Without Community Becomes UnsustainableI share how relocating seven times for career advancement slowly eroded my sense of rootedness and belonging.
Audience follow-up â What relationships or communities have you unintentionally sacrificed in pursuit of success?
The Emergency Contact Moment Changed EverythingOne of the most confronting moments came when I realized I didnât know who I could list as an emergency contact for my children. That question exposed just how alone I had become.
Audience follow-up â If life became difficult tomorrow, who could you truly call for support?
Community Expands What Feels PossibleReal connection doesnât weaken ambitionâit strengthens it. Being around women who see you fully creates safety, perspective, and possibility.
Audience follow-up â Who in your life makes you feel more like yourself when youâre around them?
You Deserve to Be Seen Beyond Your ResumeSo many accomplished women are celebrated for what they produce while quietly feeling unseen in who they are. I believe we need spaces where honesty matters more than performance.
Audience follow-up â Where are you craving deeper connectionânot networking, but genuine belonging?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
The ConnectA peer community Lori created for ambitious, accomplished women seeking honest conversations, meaningful support, and deeper connection beyond surface-level networking.
Loriâs Corporate RelocationsOver the course of her corporate career, Lori relocated seven different times in pursuit of advancement and opportunityâan experience that shaped both her ambition and her loneliness.
The Turning PointThe combination of divorce and the sudden loss of Loriâs mother forced her to reevaluate what true support, resilience, and leadership really mean.
⨠Reflection Prompts:
What have you been carrying alone because you thought you âshouldâ be able to?When was the last time you felt genuinely supported?Are you building a successful lifeâor a connected one?What would change if you stopped treating vulnerability like weakness?đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
Ambitious women who feel lonely despite their successLeaders navigating life transitions, grief, or burnoutProfessionals craving deeper connection and communityWomen redefining what strength and leadership look likeAnyone tired of carrying the weight of independence alone
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
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Summary:
In this special one-year anniversary episode of the Joy CEO Podcast, Iâm reflecting on what itâs meant to show up consistently for 52 straight weeks of long-form conversations around leadership, growth, joy, and becoming the woman youâre meant to be.
I share why I started this podcast in the first place: to create a space where you could truly get to know me, my coaching philosophy, and the work I care deeply about. This episode is more personal, conversational, and completely off-script as I walk through six leadership lessons that have shaped me this past year.
From learning that growth happens faster through peopleânot isolationâto redefining joy as something we already carry within us, these lessons have impacted how I lead, work, and live. I also talk about why careers are rarely linear, how adopting an athleteâs mindset changed my perspective on resilience, and why challenging yourself beyond your comfort zone is necessary for growth.
If youâve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed by figuring everything out alone, or disconnected from joy, I hope this episode reminds you that you donât have to have all the answers to move forward.
đ Key Takeaways:
âWho, Not Howâ Changed the Way I GrowOne of the biggest lessons Iâve learned is that I donât need to have every answer myself. Growth happens faster when I stop obsessing over the âhowâ and start finding the right people to support, guide, and collaborate with me.
Audience follow-up â Where are you trying to do everything alone instead of asking for support?
Joy Isnât Something I Have to EarnFor so long, I thought joy came after the achievement, the milestone, or the success. But Iâve learned that love, joy, and fulfillment already exist within usâwe donât have to prove ourselves worthy of experiencing them.
Audience follow-up â What would change if you stopped delaying joy until âsomedayâ?
I Want to Lead People FirstThe older I get, the more I believe leadership is about making people feel seen, valued, and safe. Whether in business or everyday life, people remember how you made them feel.
Audience follow-up â Who in your life could feel more appreciated or acknowledged by you this week?
My Career Hasnât Been LinearâAnd Thatâs OkayIâve had pivots, unexpected turns, and moments where things didnât go according to plan. This year reminded me that careers and personal growth are rarely straight lines, and sometimes the detours shape us the most.
Audience follow-up â What if your current transition is leading you somewhere better than you expected?
Adopting an Athleteâs Mindset Changed MeI talk about how sports and athletic discipline influenced the way I approach leadership, consistency, and resilience. Leadership isnât about perfectionâitâs about showing up, practicing, and learning how to work as part of a team.
Audience follow-up â What habits are helping you build resilience in your daily life?
Growth Requires Me to Challenge MyselfSome of the biggest breakthroughs in my life came from doing things that felt uncomfortable or bigger than I thought I was ready for. Iâve learned that growth often lives on the other side of challengeâand that I donât have to navigate it alone.
Audience follow-up â What challenge have you been avoiding because it feels too big or uncertain?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
Celebrating 52 episodes and one full year of the Joy CEO PodcastWhy I committed to weekly long-form contentThe âWho Not Howâ mindset and asking for supportLeadership through connection, joy, and resilienceLessons from athletics and teamwork applied to business and lifeThe importance of embracing pivots and personal growth⨠Reflection Prompts:
Where am I making things harder by trying to do everything myself?What does joy look like for me outside of achievement?How do I want people to feel after interacting with me?Am I resisting changeâor allowing myself to evolve?What challenge could help me grow into the next version of myself?đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
Women navigating career pivots or reinventionEntrepreneurs and leaders craving more joy and alignmentHigh achievers learning to ask for supportProfessionals rebuilding confidence after setbacksAnyone wanting leadership lessons grounded in connection, growth, and humanityâą Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Anniversary Kickoff
00:48 Why I Started
03:06 Who Not How
06:53 Love And Joy
08:20 People First
09:39 Careers Aren't Linear
11:37 Find The Athlete
13:25 Challenge Yourself
14:48 Wrap Up And Next Steps
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
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Summary:
In this honest and deeply empowering conversation, Lori sits down with divorce and relationship coach Kara Francis to talk about what really happens when women stop living the life theyâre âsupposedâ to liveâand start choosing themselves instead.
Kara shares how witnessing her sisterâs divorce first inspired her to become a divorce attorney, and how years later, her own divorce pushed her into a profound identity reckoning. After realizing many women didnât just need legal guidanceâbut emotional support, clarity, and healingâshe transitioned from law into coaching.
Together, Lori and Kara unpack the fear, grief, people-pleasing, and identity loss that often come with unhappy marriages and major life transitions. Kara walks listeners through her four-phase coaching framework and explains why reclaiming your truth is often the first step toward reclaiming your power.
This episode is a powerful reminder that you donât need permission to want a different lifeâand that choosing yourself doesnât make you selfish. It makes you honest.
đ Key Takeaways:Your Identity Can Get Lost Inside âSupposed ToâKara shares how years of people-pleasing and following a traditional life script left her disconnected from herself before her divorce.
Audience follow-up â Where in your life are you making choices based on expectation instead of truth?
Divorce Is EmotionalâNot Just LegalAs a former attorney, Kara realized many women werenât struggling most with paperworkâthey were struggling with fear, shame, grief, and uncertainty.
Audience follow-up â What kind of emotional support do you need during hard transitions that logic alone canât solve?
Fear Usually Centers Around Kids and FinancesKara explains that the two biggest fears women often face when considering divorce are:
âWill my kids be okay?ââWill I be financially okay?âShe shares why clarity and support matter more than having every answer figured out upfront.
Audience follow-up â Are you waiting to feel 100% certain before allowing yourself to make a decision?
You Donât Need a âBadâ Partner to LeaveOne of the most powerful parts of the conversation centers around women feeling guilty for leaving relationships that look âfineâ from the outside.
Kara reminds listeners that unhappiness, disconnection, or losing yourself are valid reasons to reevaluate your relationship.
Audience follow-up â Have you been minimizing your own needs because someone else isnât âbad enoughâ to justify change?
Reclaiming Your Power Happens in PhasesKara walks through her four-phase coaching framework:
Own Your RealityReturn to Your TruthReclaim Your PowerMove Forward in WholenessShe explains why healing isnât about becoming someone newâitâs about reconnecting with who you already are.
Audience follow-up â Which phase are you currently in right now?
Staying Small in Relationships Doesnât Mean Youâre WeakMany high-achieving women feel confident professionally but small, silenced, or disconnected inside their relationships.
Kara explains how self-abandonment can quietly happen over timeâand why awareness is the first step toward change.
Audience follow-up â Where have you learned to shrink yourself to maintain peace or approval?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:Karaâs transition from divorce attorney to coach after recognizing the emotional gaps in traditional divorce supportHer personal divorce journey during 2020 and major move from Chicago to New York CityThe emotional toll of people-pleasing and losing your sense of self in relationshipsKaraâs four-phase coaching framework for navigating divorce and identity rebuildingListener Q&A about long-term unhappy marriages, âgoodâ partners, and fear around leavingThe importance of building support, clarity, and self-trust before making major life decisions
⨠Reflection Prompts:What truth about your life have you been avoiding?Are you making decisions from fearâor from alignment?Where have you confused keeping the peace with keeping yourself?What would choosing yourself actually look like right now?If you fully trusted yourself, what decision would become clearer?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:Women navigating divorce, separation, or relationship uncertaintyHigh-achieving women struggling with people-pleasing or identity lossAnyone feeling disconnected from themselves inside a relationshipWomen questioning whether theyâre allowed to want something differentListeners rebuilding confidence, self-trust, and emotional clarity after major life transitions
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.com
Connect with Kara Francis on her Website, Instagram
đ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
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Summary:
In this deeply personal solo episode, Iâm pulling back the curtain on what visibility really requiresâand why itâs not just about strategy, but identity.
I share a defining moment from my childhood that shaped how I learned to be seen, and how that experience quietly turned into a âvowâ to stay safe by overachieving instead of fully expressing myself. If youâve ever found yourself doing all the right things but still holding back your voice, this episode will likely hit close to home.
I walk you through how your brain is trying to protect you (even when itâs keeping you small), and introduce one of my favorite toolsâthe âhula hoopâ conceptâto help you separate whatâs actually yours to carry from what isnât.
Most importantly, I offer three simple but powerful shifts that will help you own your narrative before anyone else doesâso you can stop waiting to be recognized and start showing up as the leader you already are.
This isnât about becoming more visible by doing more. Itâs about becoming more visible by deciding who you are before the room does.
đ Key Takeaways:
Visibility Is an Identity Practice
Iâve learned that being seen isnât just about speaking upâitâs about who you believe you are when you do. When your identity feels safe, your visibility becomes natural.
đ Audience follow-up: Where in your life are you still tying your visibility to validation instead of self-trust?
The âVowsâ You Didnât Know You Made
I share how a childhood moment shaped the way I showed up for yearsâand how many of us create invisible rules about staying safe by not being fully seen.
đ Audience follow-up: Whatâs a moment from your past that may have influenced how you show up today?
Your Brain Is Trying to Protect You
That hesitation you feel? Itâs not weaknessâitâs protection. But what once kept you safe might now be keeping you small.
đ Audience follow-up: Where might your protection patterns be holding you back from real visibility?
The Hula Hoop Concept
I use this tool to remind myself whatâs in my controlâand whatâs not. Other peopleâs opinions live outside the hoop, but the meaning I assign to them stays inside.
đ Audience follow-up: What are you currently carrying that doesnât belong in your âhula hoopâ?
Own Your Narrative Before Anyone Else Does
I break down three simple moves: name what youâre bringing, decide who youâre there for, and choose what it means about youâbefore anyone else gets to decide.
đ Audience follow-up: Before your next meeting, how can you intentionally define your role and voice?
Visibility That Compounds
Every time you show up as yourself, it builds. Real visibility isnât a one-time actâitâs something that grows with every honest expression.
đ Audience follow-up: Whatâs one small way you can show up more fully this week?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
The âhula hoopâ framework for boundaries and control
How identity shapes visibility more than strategy ever will
The concept of âprotective patternsâ and overachievement
Three practical moves to own your voice and narrative
⨠Reflection Prompts:
Where am I performing instead of expressing?
What story have I been letting others write about me?
What would it look like to decide who I am before I walk into the room?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
Ambitious women who are doing all the right thingsâbut still feel unseen
Leaders ready to stop overperforming and start expressing
Professionals navigating visibility, confidence, and self-trust
Anyone who wants to own their voice, story, and presenceâfully and unapologetically
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
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Summary:
In this strategic and empowering conversation, Lori sits down with Kate Haranisâa reputation and public relations strategistâto unpack what it really means to be visible in a way that feels aligned, intentional, and impactful.
Kate shares how her work centers on helping leaders âtell better storiesâ so their external reputation reflects their true valueânot a curated or performative version of success. Drawing from her experience across nonprofits, PR agencies, and Fortune 500 companies, she breaks down how visibility isnât about being the loudest in the roomâitâs about showing up in the right rooms, with clarity and purpose.
This episode is a must-listen if youâve ever felt stuck being âknownâ only within your inner circle or unsure how to step into a bigger conversation without losing authenticity. Itâs not about chasing attentionâitâs about building a reputation that opens doors.
If youâre ready to be seen for your real workâand leverage that visibility for growthâthis episode will show you how.
đ Key Takeaways:
Visibility Is a StrategyâNot a Personality Trait
You donât need to be loud, viral, or everywhere. The key is being intentional about where and how you show up.
Audience follow-up â Where am I currently visibleâand is it aligned with where I want to go?
Start With What You Want to Be Known For
Before jumping into platforms or tactics, define your reputation goals and what opportunities that visibility will unlock.
Audience follow-up â What do I want people to associate with my nameâand why does it matter?
Build Signature Ideas, Not Just Content
Strong reputations are built on clear, repeatable ideas that position you as a thought leaderânot scattered posts.
Audience follow-up â What are 1â2 ideas I can consistently speak about and own?
Donât Get Stuck in the âTactics Firstâ Trap
Jumping straight into posting or pitching without a clear narrative leads to misalignment and burnout. Strategy comes first.
Audience follow-up â Am I creating content with intentionâor just to stay visible?
Your Inner Circle Isnât Enough
Being well-known in your current environment doesnât always translate to new opportunities. Growth requires expanding your audience.
Audience follow-up â Who needs to know about my work that currently doesnât?
Authenticity Doesnât Mean Staying Small
Showing up as yourself doesnât mean playing it safe. Growth often requires stretchingâbut not abandoning who you are.
Audience follow-up â What would it look like to expand my visibility without feeling like Iâm âperformingâ?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
PR Hype Girl â Kateâs platform offering tools and resources to help founders and leaders build their visibility and reputationLinkedIn Strategy Example â A leader leveraging LinkedIn to turn experience into a consulting businessWomenâs Health Founder Story â Using visibility to shape a broader industry conversation, not just promote a product⨠Reflection Prompts:
Where am I relying on being âknownâ instead of being visible?What story am I currently tellingâand is it aligned with where I want to go?Am I choosing visibility strategically⌠or avoiding it altogether?đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
Founders and entrepreneurs ready to expand their visibilityCorporate leaders who want to own and shape their professional narrativeWomen who want to grow their influence without sacrificing authenticityProfessionals looking to build a reputation that creates new opportunities
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.com
Check out Kate Haranis website: https://www.prhypegirl.com/
đ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
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Summary:
In this raw and honest episode, I take you behind the scenes of a moment that could have easily derailed meâmy website crashing right after my first live training, at the exact moment people were ready to buy. The timing couldnât have been worse⌠and yet, it became one of the most clarifying leadership moments Iâve had.
I share what it looked like to hold composure while everything felt like it was falling apartâfrom troubleshooting tech issues with multiple experts to continuing to show up for a client in the middle of the chaos. This wasnât just about a broken websiteâit was about focus, resilience, and learning where Iâve been avoiding responsibility in my business.
This episode is a reminder that things will go wrong, even when youâre doing everything rightâbut how you respond is what shapes the leader youâre becoming.
If youâve ever felt the panic of something breaking at the worst possible time, this one is for you.
đ Key Takeaways:
Warnings Donât Prevent the Impact
I went into the week knowing there might be disruptionsâbut that didnât stop the frustration or the consequences when things actually broke. Awareness helps, but it doesnât replace resilience.
Audience follow-up â Where in your life are you expecting challengesâbut still hoping to avoid the impact instead of preparing for how youâll respond?
Two Priorities Keep Me Grounded
In the middle of everything, I came back to two anchors: movement and speaking. These kept me steady, focused, and out of panic mode.
Audience follow-up â What are the two non-negotiables that help you stay grounded when things feel chaotic?
You Still Have to Show Up
Even while my site was down, I had a client depending on meâand I chose to be present and deliver. Leadership isnât about perfect conditions; itâs about consistency.
Audience follow-up â Where are you letting circumstances dictate your level of presence?
Avoidance Creates Dependence
I realized I had been avoiding fully understanding my techâand that avoidance made me overly reliant on the wrong support at the wrong time.
Audience follow-up â What area of your business or life are you avoiding thatâs quietly costing you control?
The Lesson Is the Real Win
Yes, the site got fixedâbut what stayed with me were the lessons about ownership, discernment, and staying grounded under pressure.
Audience follow-up â Can you identify a recent challenge that shaped you more than it set you back?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
Lori Pine â Sharing her real-time experience navigating a business disruption and the leadership lessons that followed.
Chani Nicholas â Referenced for her prediction of a âplanetary pile upâ and communication breakdowns during the week.
GoDaddy â The platform where Loriâs website was temporarily âparked,â causing the outage.
Website Infrastructure & DNS Issues â A behind-the-scenes look at how technical gaps can impact business operations.
⨠Reflection Prompts:
What do you do when something breaks at the exact moment it matters most?
Where are you being called to take deeper ownership in your business?
What helps you stay grounded when things feel urgent and out of control?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
Entrepreneurs navigating launches, tech, and unexpected setbacks
Women building businesses while learning to lead under pressure
Coaches and creatives who want to stay grounded during chaos
Anyone ready to shift from reactive to resilient leadership
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
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Summary:
In this deeply honest and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with business and ADHD coach Justine Clay to talk about creative leadership, neurodiversity, and the hidden mental load so many high-performing women carry behind the scenes.
Justine shares her journey from talent management in New York City to coaching creatives and leaders to become their own advocates, especially around money, visibility, and sustainable success. What began as supporting creatives with the business side of their work evolved into a deeper understanding of how different brains operateâespecially after her sonâs ADHD diagnosis led her to recognize similar patterns in many of her clients.
Together, we explore the overlap between ADHD, overwhelm, burnout, and the hormonal shifts that can surface in perimenopause and menopause. We talk about why so many women have spent years masking, overcompensating, and making it âeasyâ for everyone else, often at the expense of themselves.
This episode is a powerful conversation about compassion, boundaries, leadership, and what it means to create environmentsâat work and at homeâthat support how people actually function.
If youâve ever wondered whether what youâre experiencing is stress, ADHD, hormonal brain fog, or simply the weight of doing too much for too long, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.
đ Key Takeaways:
Creative leadership requires self-advocacy
Justine shares how she began coaching creatives to âbe their own agent,â helping them navigate visibility, money, and the business side of their gifts.
Audience follow-up â Where in your work are you waiting for permission instead of advocating for yourself?
Women often play small around money
We unpack the money stories so many women carryâundercharging, overdelivering, and feeling uncomfortable asking for what they truly want.
Audience follow-up â What belief about money or worth might be keeping you smaller than you need to be?
ADHD can look like overwhelm, burnout, or brain fog
One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is the nuance around ADHD symptoms and how they can overlap with stress, midlife changes, and hormonal shifts.
Audience follow-up â Is what youâre calling ânot copingâ actually a sign that your brain needs different support?
Stop making it easy for everyone else
We talk about boundaries at home and at work, and how many women unconsciously make life easier for everyone around them while carrying the invisible load themselves.
Audience follow-up â Where are you over-functioning for others?
Body and brain health come first
Justine reminds us that sustainable leadership starts with the basics: sleep, nourishment, movement, hormones, and understanding how your brain works.
Audience follow-up â Whatâs one way you can support your body and brain this week before adding more to your plate?
Equity matters in leadership
We explore what it really means to lead neurodiverse teams wellâfrom accommodations and allyship to designing systems that support different working styles.
Audience follow-up â How can you create more flexibility and equity in the way you lead?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
Justineâs transition from NYC talent management into business coachingSupporting creatives with money mindset and self-advocacyADHD coaching certification and neurodiverse leadershipThe overlap between ADHD, perimenopause, and menopause brain fogBoundaries, masking, and the hidden load women carryEquity-based workplace accommodations and leadership facilitationTools and strategies that actually work for neurodiverse brains⨠Reflection Prompts:
What part of your current overwhelm is actually a systems issueânot a personal failure?
Where have you been masking or overcompensating to appear âtogetherâ?
What support would help you lead and live more sustainably?
How can you stop making yourself smaller to make everyone else more comfortable?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
High-achieving women navigating overwhelm or burnoutCreative leaders and entrepreneursWomen questioning ADHD, brain fog, or midlife shiftsManagers leading neurodiverse teamsAnyone ready to lead with more compassion and less masking
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
Check Justine Clay at her website: justineclay.com
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Summary:
Iâm diving into a question that feels deeply personal and incredibly important: When was the last time you truly felt like yourself? Not the version of you who is performing, managing, or holding everything togetherâbut the version of you who feels clear, powerful, and fully alive.
So many ambitious women are doing all the ârightâ things on paper, yet still feel disconnected, stuck, or not quite as sharp as they know they can be. In this episode, I share why I donât believe this is a productivity issueâI believe itâs a proximity issue. The rooms we sit in, the people we surround ourselves with, and the level of belief around us shape what we see as possible.
I also share why Iâm focusing on two priorities in 2026, how the âfire horseâ energy is influencing this season, and why choosing less can actually accelerate momentum. If youâve been craving clarity, expansion, and a room that raises your standard, this episode is for you.
đ Key Takeaways:
Feeling Disconnected Doesnât Mean Something Is Wrong With You
If youâve been feeling less like yourself lately, it doesnât automatically mean you need to work harder or become more disciplined. Sometimes it simply means youâve outgrown the room youâre in.
Audience follow-up â Ask yourself: When was the last time I felt fully like myself, and what environment was I in?
Proximity Shapes Possibility
I share why I believe your environment changes your energy, your belief system, and your pace. When youâre surrounded by women who are playing at the level you desire, expansion happens faster because your standards rise.
Audience follow-up â Who are the five people closest to you right now, and how are they influencing your thinking?
Itâs Not About More PrioritiesâItâs About the Right Two
Instead of spreading yourself thin across too many goals, I talk about the power of choosing two priorities that truly move the needle in this season of life and business.
Audience follow-up â What are the two priorities that would create the biggest shift for you right now?
Momentum Often Comes From the Right Room
Sometimes the breakthrough isnât another strategyâitâs being in a space where belief expands. The right room can create what feels like a quantum leap because it shifts what you believe is available to you.
Audience follow-up â Are you in rooms that stretch you, challenge you, and help you grow faster?
This Season Is About Intentional Focus
I share why 2026 feels like a year of bold movement and intentional action, and how Iâm personally choosing clarity over chaos.
Audience follow-up â Where do you need to simplify so you can move with more power?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
The Connect â my community designed for ambitious women who want to lead bigger and live fullerFree Live Training â Wednesday, April 15 at 7:00 PM EasternThe Power of Proximity â why your environment impacts momentumTwo Priorities Framework â my focus strategy for 2026Fire Horse Energy â the theme influencing this season of leadership and growth⨠Reflection Prompts:
When do I feel most like myself?Who is influencing my current pace and belief?What would happen if I focused on only two priorities?Am I in the right room for the next version of me?đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
High-achieving women feeling disconnected from themselvesLeaders craving clarity and momentumEntrepreneurs navigating burnout or overwhelmWomen ready to expand through community and proximityAnyone who knows theyâre meant for more but feels stuck
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
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Summary:
In this deeply personal solo episode, Iâm sharing the story of a door I almost didnât walk throughâand how saying yes to myself changed everything.
Back in 2021, after leaving my corporate career to be home with my family, I found myself in an unfamiliar space: no title, no company-sponsored development, and no clear roadmap for what came next. For the first time, I realized that if I wanted to grow, I had to stop waiting for an employerâor anyone elseâto invest in me. I had to choose myself.
I take you behind the scenes of the moment I was invited into an $18,000 mastermind with no income coming in, the beliefs I had to confront about what was âpossible for someone like me,â and why saying yes to the right room became one of the most transformational decisions of my life.
This episode is about permission, expansion, and the courage to invest in your own becoming.
If youâve been standing at the edge of your next chapter, waiting for a signâthis is it.
đ Key Takeaways:
Stop Waiting for Permission
One of the biggest lessons Iâve learned is that no one is coming to hand you permission to grow. At some point, you have to become the person who says, itâs time.
Audience follow-up â Where in your life are you still waiting for someone else to validate your next move?
You Can No Longer Outsource Your Growth
When I left corporate, I also left behind the systems that once supported my development. It forced me to realize that my growth was now fully my responsibility.
Audience follow-up â What part of your growth have you been expecting someone else to provide for you?
Investing in Yourself Creates Compound Returns
The $18K mastermind felt terrifying at the time, but the return wasnât just financialâit was personal, emotional, relational, and deeply transformational. The right rooms expand who you believe you can become.
Audience follow-up â What investment in yourself could create long-term growth beyond immediate results?
Challenge the âPeople Like Usâ Story
At Canyon Ranch, I came face-to-face with the stories I had inherited about what people like me do, deserve, or have access to. Saying yes required rewriting that narrative.
Audience follow-up â What identity story are you ready to release?
Expansion Happens Through Decision
So often, transformation begins the moment we decideânot when conditions are perfect, but when we trust ourselves enough to move.
Audience follow-up â What door is in front of you right now that youâre afraid to walk through?
⨠Reflection Prompts:
Where have I been waiting for permission instead of deciding?What would change if I fully chose myself?What room, opportunity, or investment is calling me right now?What belief about âpeople like meâ am I ready to outgrow?đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
Women leaders navigating a major life or career transitionHigh-achieving women ready for their next level of growthEntrepreneurs learning to invest in themselvesAnyone standing at the threshold of a bold decisionListeners craving permission to want more
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
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Summary:
In this episode, I sit down with marketing expert Anne Hoeger to explore her fascinating journey from chemical engineering to fractional CMOâand everything sheâs learned along the way. What struck me most is how marketing, especially in high-growth and private equity environments, is rarely just about campaignsâitâs about leading people through change. Anne shares how she steps into organizations not just to drive growth, but to reshape culture, upgrade talent, and build the systems that make transformation sustainable.
We also dive into the power of community and what it really takes to lead in todayâs rapidly evolving landscapeâespecially with AI accelerating everything. Anne opens up about building SWIM (Savvy Women in Marketing) into a trusted executive network, and how mindfulness, intuition, and self-care arenât extrasâtheyâre essential for staying grounded and effective as a leader. This conversation is both strategic and deeply human, and it will leave you thinking differently about leadership, reinvention, and the rooms you choose to be in.
đ Key Takeaways:
Marketing Is Really Change Management
I learned that stepping into a marketing roleâespecially in private equityâoften means guiding teams through uncertainty, fear, and transformation, not just executing strategy.
Audience follow-up â Where in your business are you being called to lead changeânot just manage outcomes?
Close Gaps with âBuild, Borrow, Buyâ
Anne shares a simple but powerful framework: develop internal talent (build), bring in external experts (borrow), or hire new capabilities (buy).
Audience follow-up â Which capability gap in your team needs a build, borrow, or buy solution right now?
Transparency Reduces Resistance
Clear, stair-step plans and open communication help teams feel safe enough to embrace changeâespecially when it comes to adopting AI.
Audience follow-up â How can you make your next big initiative feel clearer and safer for your team?
AI Is a People Challenge, Not Just a Tech Shift
What excites me most is Anneâs perspective that AI adoption is less about tools and more about mindset, support, and agency.
Audience follow-up â How are you helping your team feel empoweredânot threatenedâby AI?
Community Is a Career Accelerator
Building SWIM over 17 years, Anne shows that curated, high-trust communities can unlock growth, opportunity, and perspective in ways no course or playbook can.
Audience follow-up â Are you in the right roomsâand are those rooms helping you grow?
Deep Roots Sustain Big Leadership
Mindfulness, intuition, and self-care arenât luxuriesâtheyâre what keep you steady through constant reinvention and high-stakes decisions.
Audience follow-up â What practices help you stay grounded when everything around you is changing?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
SWIM (Savvy Women in Marketing) â Anneâs curated community for senior women in marketing, built on trust, connection, and shared growth.
Build, Borrow, Buy Framework â A practical approach to closing skill and capability gaps within teams.
AI Masterminds â Small, high-value groups focused on learning, experimenting, and staying ahead of rapid tech shifts.
Fractional CMO Model â A flexible leadership approach where experienced executives step in to drive transformation without being full-time hires.
⨠Reflection Prompts:
Where in your career are you being asked to reinvent yourself right now?Are you leading change⌠or resisting it?What kind of community would most support your next level of growth?How are you taking care of yourself while leading others through uncertainty?đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
Founders and executives navigating growth, transformation, or private equity environmentsMarketing leaders looking to elevate from execution to strategic influenceWomen who want to build meaningful, high-level communities and networksProfessionals learning to lead through AI, change, and constant reinvention
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.com
⨠Connect with Anne:Ann Hoeger | LinkedInđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
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Summary:
In this episode, I unpack a pattern I see all the time in high-achieving womenâincluding myself: react, respond, ruminate. It starts with a quick, often stress-driven reactionâa message, a decision, a commentâfollowed by a genuine attempt to clean it up and take responsibility. But then comes the part that really costs us: the rumination. The overthinking, the replaying, the self-punishment that steals our joy, presence, and ability to move forward. I share a personal story from a 2012 trade show where a decision I made spiraled into a weekend of overthinkingâuntil I chose something different.
That shift is what I call âthe turnaround.â Instead of staying stuck in my own head, I redirected my focus outwardâbeing fully present with my two young sons and choosing service over self-absorption. That single decision interrupted the spiral and helped me come back with clarity, calm, and perspective. In this episode, I walk you through how to use the turnaround in your own life, reminding you that accountability doesnât have to mean self-destructionâand that you get to come back to yourself, again and again.
đ Key Takeaways:
The React â Respond â Ruminate Loop Is Sneaky
Iâve lived this pattern: I react quickly, I try to repair it responsiblyâand then I get stuck replaying it over and over.
Audience follow-up â Where in your life are you still mentally replaying something thatâs already been handled?
Rumination Isnât ResponsibilityâItâs Self-Punishment
I had to learn that beating myself up doesnât make me more accountableâit just drains my energy and presence.
Audience follow-up â What if you replaced self-criticism with self-trust after youâve made things right?
The Turnaround Breaks the Spiral
For me, the shift came when I stopped focusing on myself and chose to be fully present with others. That interruption changed everything.
Audience follow-up â The next time you spiral, who or what can you turn toward instead?
Presence Is More Powerful Than Perfection
That weekend, I couldâve stayed stuck in my headâbut choosing to be with my kids brought me back to what actually mattered.
Audience follow-up â Where are you missing real-life moments because youâre stuck in your thoughts?
You Can Come Back With Clarity Later
When I gave myself space, I was able to return to the situation calmer, clearer, and more grounded.
Audience follow-up â What would it look like to trust that clarity will comeâwithout forcing it?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
The âReact, Respond, Ruminateâ Pattern â A loop Iâve identified in high performers that keeps us stuck in overthinkingThe Turnaround Tool â My practice of shifting from self-focus to service and presence2012 Trade Show Story â A defining moment that taught me how to interrupt the rumination spiral⨠Reflection Prompts:
Whatâs something youâve already taken responsibility forâbut are still punishing yourself over?What does âthe turnaroundâ look like in your real, everyday life?Where can you choose presence over perfection today?đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
High-achieving women who struggle with overthinking and self-criticismLeaders who want to stay accountable without burning themselves outAnyone ready to break free from rumination and return to presenceProfessionals who want more peace, clarity, and emotional freedom in their day-to-day life
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
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In this solo episode, I talk about one of the most underrated career moves for women leaders: getting in the room where decisions are made. Whether itâs executive meetings, board discussions, leadership retreats, or high-level masterminds, being present in these spaces can completely change how you think, lead, and grow. I share lessons from leading a billion-dollar business and from a recent retreat in Nashville where I intentionally surrounded myself with entrepreneurs who were further along than I was.
In those moments, itâs easy to feel intimidated or like youâre the least experienced person in the roomâbut Iâve learned that feeling doesnât mean you donât belong; it means youâre expanding. Too often, women wait to be invited into these spaces, when the real barrier is a permission gap, not a skills gap. In this episode, I explore how advocating for your seat can expand your thinking, strengthen relationships, increase visibility, and ultimately help you see yourself as the leader youâre becoming.
đ Key Takeaways:The âRoomâ Matters More Than You ThinkHigh-stakes decisions donât happen everywhereâthey happen in specific rooms: leadership meetings, strategy sessions, retreats, and boardrooms. Being present in these spaces exposes you to the thinking, language, and relationships that shape big outcomes.
Audience follow-up â Ask yourself: Whatâs the room where the decisions that impact my work or industry are actually being made?
Discomfort Is a Sign Youâre ExpandingLori shares her experience at a Nashville retreat surrounded by entrepreneurs who were further ahead in their journey. Instead of shrinking, she recognized that the discomfort meant she was in a room that could stretch her thinking.
Audience follow-up â When was the last time you intentionally put yourself in a room where you werenât the most experienced person?
Stop Waiting for InvitationsMany women assume that if theyâre meant to be in the room, someone will invite them. Lori challenges that belief and encourages leaders to advocate for themselves and ask for access to the conversations that matter.
Audience follow-up â What room could you ask to be included in right now?
The Permission Gap Is RealThe barrier for many women leaders isnât capabilityâitâs permission. Too often we wait until we feel completely ready, polished, or qualified before stepping forward. Leadership requires claiming space before you feel 100% ready.
Audience follow-up â Where might you be holding yourself back by waiting for permission?
Relationships Open DoorsBeing in the room isnât just about the meetingâitâs about the connections that form around it. Proximity to decision-makers and peers expands opportunities, ideas, and collaborations.
Audience follow-up â Who in your network could introduce you to a room you want to be in?
Drop the Polished PersonaLori emphasizes that showing up authenticallyâwithout the pressure to perform a perfectly polished version of yourselfâcreates stronger connections and deeper impact.
Audience follow-up â Where might authenticity help you connect more powerfully with leaders around you?
The Room Changes How You LeadExposure to bigger conversations expands your strategic thinking, confidence, and sense of possibility. Once you see how decisions are made, you begin to think differently about your role and your potential influence.
Audience follow-up â How might your leadership shift if you regularly participated in higher-level conversations?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:Loriâs Nashville retreat experience with entrepreneurs further along in their journeyThe concept of the âPermission Gapâ in leadershipThe importance of executive rooms, board discussions, and leadership offsites in shaping strategy and opportunityThe mindset shift from waiting for invitations to claiming your seat
⨠Reflection Prompts:What is the high-stakes room you want to be in?Whatâs one bold ask you could make this month to get closer to that room?Where might comparison be showing upâand how can you reframe it as evidence of growth?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:Women leaders ready to expand their influenceExecutives and entrepreneurs who want greater strategic visibilityProfessionals who feel stuck outside key decision-making spacesAnyone ready to stop waiting for permission and step into bigger rooms
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.comđ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
đ˛ Share this episode with someone whoâs navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace
-
Summary:
In this heartfelt, wisdom-rich episode of the Joy CEO podcast, Lori Pine visits her longtime mentor Anne Quinnâthe woman who supported her through one of the hardest chapters of her life: moving to New York, navigating divorce, and raising two young boys.
Anne shares her grounded, practical approach to clutter clearing through feng shui, revealing how our homes are not just spaces we live inâthey are energetic reflections of who we are becoming. Together, they explore how clutter creates subconscious stress, why âmood follows action,â and how small, consistent steps (like clearing one drawer) can spark profound life shifts.
This conversation is about more than organizing. Itâs about identity, energy, and finally letting go of what no longer fitsâso you can step into who you are now.
If youâve been craving lightness, clarity, or momentum, this episode will show you the fastest way to shift your life⌠starting at home.
đ Key Takeaways:
Start Small. Mood Follows Action.Anne emphasizes that transformation doesnât begin with a full-house overhaul. It starts with one drawer. One shelf. One small decision.
When you take actionâeven a tiny oneâyour mood shifts. Momentum builds.
Audience follow-up â Whatâs one small area you can clear today to create immediate movement?
Clutter Before Feng ShuiBefore adding crystals, mirrors, or symbolic enhancements, Anne insists: clear the clutter first.
Feng shui works best in a space that has room to breathe. Clearing what no longer serves you creates the energetic foundation for real alignment.
Audience follow-up â Are you trying to âadd moreâ when the real work is subtraction?
Love vs. Fear: Why You Keep ThingsMany possessions are rooted in fear, guilt, or obligationânot love. Anne invites you to ask:
Do I truly love this?
Or am I keeping it because I âshouldâ?
Letting go creates emotional and energetic freedom.
Audience follow-up â What are you holding onto out of obligation rather than joy?
Objects Carry EnergyHomes tell stories. Outdated photos, broken items, unused giftsâthey all carry a vibration.
Anne encourages keeping your space current and aligned with who you are nowânot who you were 10 years ago.
Audience follow-up â Does your home reflect your present selfâor your past?
Stop Rebuying the ClutterClearing is powerfulâbut not if you refill the space.
Anne suggests âshopping your closetâ and using what you already own. Mindful consumption prevents the re-clutter cycle.
Audience follow-up â Where are you buying duplicates instead of appreciating what you have?
More Disappoints. Less Is More.One of Anneâs signature teachings: More disappoints.
Accumulation rarely creates satisfaction. Simplicity brings clarity, ease, and calm.
Audience follow-up â Where in your life would less actually feel like more?
Your Front Door Sets the ToneIn feng shui, your front door represents opportunity and energy entering your life.
Is it welcoming? Clear? Alive? Or cluttered and forgotten?
Audience follow-up â If opportunity knocked today, what would it walk into?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
⢠Susanâs year-long incremental clutter transformation
⢠âMood Follows Actionâ philosophy
⢠Clearing clutter before applying feng shui enhancements
⢠Anne Quinnâs March 20 Clutter-Clearing Workshop at Bath Avenue Guest House
⢠May Retreat in Ocean Grove
⨠Reflection Prompts:
What small action would create immediate lightness in your life?
Where are you living in yesterdayâs identity?
What would your home look like if it reflected who you are becoming?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
Women navigating life transitions (divorce, relocation, reinvention)
Entrepreneurs craving clarity and momentum
Anyone feeling low-grade anxiety at home
Leaders who know their environment affects their energy
Those ready to feel lighterâwithout changing everything overnight
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Summary:
In this bold and activating solo episode, Lori reframes a word many high-capacity women have been conditioned to fear: unreasonable. Instead of shrinking to fit expectations, she invites you to see âunreasonableâ as a complimentâevidence of vision, capacity, and fire.
With 2026 carrying rare Fire Horse energy, Lori shares why this is not the year to dilute your desires or play small. This is a year for focused intensity, bold sprints, and wise integration. From her recent Nashville retreat revelationâshifting from obsessing over the âhowâ to prioritizing the âwhoââto her challenge of radical subtraction, this episode is a call to lead, live, and desire at full volume.
If youâve ever been told youâre âtoo much,â this episode will remind you: that might be your superpower.
đ Key Takeaways:
âUnreasonableâ Is a Compliment
High-capacity women are often labeled âtoo muchâ when their ambition exceeds the roomâs comfort level. Lori challenges you to stop shrinking your fire to make others comfortable.
Audience follow-up â Where are you diluting your ambition to stay palatable?
Say the Real Desire Out Loud
No qualifiers. No âif itâs meant to be.â No backup plan energy. Whether itâs wealth, romance, strength, impact, or freedomâname it clearly and expect it to be on its way.
Audience follow-up â What do you actually want? Can you say it without softening it?
Ferrari Energy Requires the Right Track
You donât have Honda Civic energyâyou have Ferrari energy. But a Ferrari on a dirt road will question itself. Sometimes growth requires walking away from rooms that canât handle your speed.
Audience follow-up â Are you underperformingâor just in the wrong environment?
The Magic Is in the âWho,â Not the âHowâ
At her Nashville retreat, Lori realized the breakthrough wasnât in figuring everything out alone. It was about proximityâthe right rooms, leaders, and conversations.
Audience follow-up â Who do you need proximity to this year?
Radical Subtraction Creates Momentum
Instead of adding more strategies, remove whatâs slowing you down. One meeting. One system. One habitual distraction. Clarity often comes from subtraction.
Audience follow-up â Whatâs one thing you can remove this week to create more power and focus?
đ Mentioned in the Episode:
Fire Horse Energy â A rare energetic theme representing intensity, independence, boldness, and rapid movement.
Nashville Leadership Retreat â Loriâs recent breakthrough experience centered on connection and proximity over solo strategizing.
Radical Subtraction â Loriâs challenge to eliminate whatâs cluttering your momentum instead of endlessly adding more.
⨠Reflection Prompts:
Where have you been âreasonableâ when your soul wanted to be bold?
What desire have you been qualifying instead of claiming?
What room, relationship, or opportunity would stretch you in the best way?
What needs to be removedânot optimizedâin this season?
đ§ Who This Episode Is For:
High-capacity women who are tired of shrinking
Visionary leaders ready to sprint with intention in 2026
Entrepreneurs craving bigger rooms and stronger proximity
Anyone who has been labeled âtoo muchâ and is ready to own it
đŠ Want to Go Deeper?
Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
Book a Leadership Strategy Call with Lori: loripine.com
đ§ Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast
âď¸ Leave a review to help other heart-centered leaders find the show
đ˛ Share this episode with someone whoâs navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace
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