Why build an entire business—and now a podcast—around joy? In this intimate solo episode, Lori pulls back the curtain on the moment she walked away from her high-powered VP role and made the boldest, most strategic decision of her life: to lead with joy.

Spoiler: Joy isn’t fluffy. It’s her anchor, her methodology, and her leadership advantage.

She shares what corporate never taught her about joy, the data behind why joy increases productivity, and the mindset shift that helped her move from burnout to clarity, from performance to presence. If you’ve been operating like success is the goal and joy is the reward—this one’s for you.

Joy Is Not Fluff—It’s Fuel

• Lori reframes joy as a hard-won mindset, not a fleeting mood.
• She made joy her anchor after two decades of pressure, promotions, and personal loss.
• Audience follow-up→ Ask yourself: What have I been calling “fluff” that might actually be a survival strategy?

There’s Data Behind Joy

• Joyful leaders are 31% more productive and 3x more creative.
• Joy boosts profitability, sales, retention, and engagement.
• Audience follow-up→ Google studies from Harvard Business Review, Shawn Achor, and McKinsey on emotional contagion, psychological safety, and joy in the workplace.

Gratitude Is a Daily Practice—Not a Personality Type

• Lori’s 5-minute morning gratitude habit helps her shift from stress to presence.
• Audience follow-up→ Start your own: Write down 5 things you’re grateful for every morning (no repeats!).

You Can’t Lead Well If You’re Depleted

• Joy helped Lori repair her health, reconnect to her worth, and set unshakable boundaries.
• She stopped surviving on Diet Coke and pretzels—and started sleeping, hydrating, and showing up differently.
• Audience follow-up→ Choose one daily habit that supports your well-being and commit to it this week.

Legacy Isn’t About Metrics—It’s About Meaning

• People won’t remember your dashboard—they’ll remember how you made them feel.
• Joy creates space for human connection even in high-pressure environments.
• Audience follow-up→ In your next meeting, remember one personal detail about someone on your team—and ask them about it.

• Her VP roles at Coca-Cola, Campbell’s, and Anheuser-Busch
• The “Rainbows & Unicorns” comment from a toxic SVP that became a turning point
• Gratitude practice: 5 things every morning
• The TV show The Bear as a metaphor for her last corporate environment
• Her personal definition of joy:

• Where are you achieving, but not fulfilling?
• What would shift if you let joy lead—not as a finish line, but as your foundation?
• How do people feel in your presence—and how do you want them to feel?

• Executives who are successful on paper but running on fumes
• Professionals recovering from burnout, overfunctioning, or toxic leadership
• Women ready to lead on their terms—with boundaries, clarity, and presence
• Anyone asking: Is there a better way to lead? (Yes. It’s JOY.)

• Explore the neuroscience + business...

In this vulnerable and wisdom-packed conversation, Lori sits down with Dr. Susan Dean—an executive operations leader, educator, and researcher—to explore the leadership moments that shaped her. From running teams of 200+ to picking blueberries on a conveyor belt in 100-degree heat, Dr. Dean shares what she’s learned about leading people with empathy, structure, and presence.

This episode isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s about who you become as you rise, and how your past (including your pain) can sharpen your leadership superpowers.

If you’re navigating big responsibilities and want to lead with heart, not burnout—this episode is for you.

Soft Skills = Strong Leadership

• Dr. Dean’s doctoral research proves that communication, emotional regulation, and empathy aren’t “nice-to-haves”—they’re essential in the 21st-century workforce.
• Audience follow-up→ Ask yourself: Which soft skill do I need to develop to better support my team right now?

Make It Safe to Talk About the Problem

• Susan uses the “Phone in the Middle” method: place the issue at the center of the conversation (literally or metaphorically) to encourage solution-focused dialogue without blame.
• Audience follow-up→ Try this in your next team debrief: “Let’s talk about the issue—not the person.”

Resilience Is a Skill—Not Just a Trait

• Susan shares a powerful metaphor of falling off a cliff during trauma—and learning how to land on a ledge instead of in the water.
• Her takeaway? Feel your emotions, take a beat, then rise with purpose.
• Audience follow-up→ What’s your “ledge” strategy? How do you care for yourself after a setback?

Don’t Confuse the Title with Readiness

• It’s not about chasing the next title—it’s about learning how to make better decisions through experience, listening, and asking great questions.
• Audience follow-up→ If you’re gunning for a bigger role, ask yourself: Am I ready to lead people—or just ready to manage tasks?

Your Story Is Your Leadership Edge

• Dr. Dean’s trauma shaped her empathy. Her former team of incarcerated individuals reshaped her worldview. These experiences became her legacy, not liabilities.
• Audience follow-up→ What in your past shaped how you lead today—and how can you own it more fully?

• “Phone in the Middle” Approach – Susan’s framework for safe, non-defensive team debriefs.
• Tony Burgess, PhD – Leadership trainer and mentor who influenced Susan’s cliff/ledge metaphor and resilience practice. Dr. Tony Burgess
• Dr. Dean’s Dissertation – Soft Skills for the 21st Century Workforce (great for leaders and HR pros).
• Her Transformative Warehouse Experience – Managing a team of formerly incarcerated workers and helping them rebuild their lives and resumes.

• What’s one mistake you’ve made as a leader—and what did it teach you?
• Are you managing performance… or mentoring people?
• Where could you lead more with your team instead of above them?

• Executives and managers responsible for large teams
• HR leaders looking to improve...

🎙️ Episode Summary:

Ever wish you could go back and give your younger self a little advice—the kind that saves you from burnout, confusion, and running in circles trying to prove yourself? In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing the three most powerful lessons I’ve learned in my career—ones I wish someone had told me 20 years ago.

If you're navigating a transition, questioning your path, or just tired of doing all the right things and still feeling stuck, this episode is for you.

Spoiler: success isn’t just about doing great work—it’s about alignment, visibility, and creating a life that doesn’t revolve entirely around your title.

⏱️ Episode Highlights + Time Stamps:

[3:30] Lesson #1: Let Go of the Illusion of Control

I introduce my "Hula Hoop Theory"—a simple but powerful exercise to help you focus on what’s really yours to carry. If you’ve been spinning your wheels trying to control everything (and everyone), this one’s for you.

🔁 Try it: Step into a real or imaginary hula hoop. What’s inside your circle of control today?

[8:20] Lesson #2: Great Work Isn’t Always Enough

This one hits hard: you can be the best at what you do and still be overlooked. We talk about why visibility matters as much as competence—and how to stop waiting to be discovered.

🎯 Try it: Draft 2–3 soundbite-worthy statements about your wins. Practice saying them out loud. Make it easy for others to champion you.

[13:00] Lesson #3: Expand Beyond Work

Tunnel vision on your job will burn you out and bore you. I share what I wish I’d done to stay more grounded, more joyful, and more me—even when work felt all-consuming.

🎨 Try it: Revisit a hobby, sport, or cause you used to love. Ask yourself: is it time to bring it back?

✨ Reflection Prompts:

• What are you gripping that’s outside your hula hoop?
• Are you waiting to be discovered—or are you showing up visibly?
• What could bring more meaning outside of work?

💬 Mentioned in the Episode:

• Hula Hoop Theory – my go-to framework for focus and boundaries
• Hard truth: Promotions don’t always go to the most competent—they go to the most visible
• My own story: I wish I’d stuck with tennis across my many moves

👀 Who This Episode Is For:

• Mid-career professionals feeling unseen or underestimated
• Emerging leaders who want to rise without losing themselves
• High achievers ready to build a fulfilling life, not just a resume

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

• Try the Hula Hoop Exercise with your team or on your own
• Post your 3 lessons for your younger self and tag me @loripine
• Book a 1:1 Coaching Call: loripine.com

🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast

⭐️ Leave a 5-star review and a comment if this episode resonated with you—it helps more than you know.

📲 Share with someone who’s ready to rise—with clarity, courage, and JOY