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Episode 52: One Year of the Joy CEO Podcast: 6 Leadership Lessons on Joy, Growth & Momentum
Episode 5220th May 2026 • The JOY CEO • Lori Pine
00:00:00 00:16:15

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Summary:

In this special one-year anniversary episode of the Joy CEO Podcast, I’m reflecting on what it’s meant to show up consistently for 52 straight weeks of long-form conversations around leadership, growth, joy, and becoming the woman you’re 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 people—not isolation—to 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 athlete’s mindset changed my perspective on resilience, and why challenging yourself beyond your comfort zone is necessary for growth.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed by figuring everything out alone, or disconnected from joy, I hope this episode reminds you that you don’t have to have all the answers to move forward.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

“Who, Not How” Changed the Way I Grow

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that I don’t need to have every answer myself. Growth happens faster when I stop obsessing over the “how” and start finding the right people to support, guide, and collaborate with me.

Audience follow-up → Where are you trying to do everything alone instead of asking for support?

Joy Isn’t Something I Have to Earn

For so long, I thought joy came after the achievement, the milestone, or the success. But I’ve learned that love, joy, and fulfillment already exist within us—we don’t have to prove ourselves worthy of experiencing them.

Audience follow-up → What would change if you stopped delaying joy until “someday”?

I Want to Lead People First

The 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 → Who in your life could feel more appreciated or acknowledged by you this week?

My Career Hasn’t Been Linear—And That’s Okay

I’ve had pivots, unexpected turns, and moments where things didn’t 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 → What if your current transition is leading you somewhere better than you expected?

Adopting an Athlete’s Mindset Changed Me

I talk about how sports and athletic discipline influenced the way I approach leadership, consistency, and resilience. Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up, practicing, and learning how to work as part of a team.

Audience follow-up → What habits are helping you build resilience in your daily life?

Growth Requires Me to Challenge Myself

Some of the biggest breakthroughs in my life came from doing things that felt uncomfortable or bigger than I thought I was ready for. I’ve learned that growth often lives on the other side of challenge—and that I don’t have to navigate it alone.

Audience follow-up → What challenge have you been avoiding because it feels too big or uncertain?

🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:

  • Celebrating 52 episodes and one full year of the Joy CEO Podcast
  • Why I committed to weekly long-form content
  • The “Who Not How” mindset and asking for support
  • Leadership through connection, joy, and resilience
  • Lessons from athletics and teamwork applied to business and life
  • The 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 change—or allowing myself to evolve?
  • What challenge could help me grow into the next version of myself?

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

  • Women navigating career pivots or reinvention
  • Entrepreneurs and leaders craving more joy and alignment
  • High achievers learning to ask for support
  • Professionals rebuilding confidence after setbacks
  • Anyone wanting leadership lessons grounded in connection, growth, and humanity

⏱ 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

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation

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📲 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating pressure and wants to do it with more grace

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