Okay. This episode? It’s one of those conversations that stays with you.

This week on Mostly All Figured Out, I’m sitting down with my incredible friend Leighton Jones - dancer, nurse, immigrant, political advocate, community builder, and one of the most fearless humans I know.

We talk about what it actually means and looks like to stop caring what people think… and why that’s way harder than Instagram makes it look.

Leighton shares his story of immigrating from Jamaica to the U.S. at 19, growing up in a country where being gay is illegal, surviving bullying and violence, and choosing - over and over again - to live authentically anyway. And let me tell you… this conversation will make you rethink what bravery really looks like.

We get into:

• Why your reaction is your power
• How to stop people-pleasing (especially when it’s your default)
• The difference between online connection and real-life community
• Immigrant resilience and the trauma people don’t talk about
• Facing fears around money, business, and asking for what you’re worth
• What it looks like to choose joy on purpose

There’s laughter. There’s real talk. There are uncomfortable truths. There’s a moment where I get lovingly called out (and honestly? I needed it).

If you’ve ever:

• Held yourself back because you were afraid of being judged
• Struggled to show up authentically online
• Felt torn between who you are and who people expect you to be
• Needed permission to choose yourself

This one’s for you.

We’re stepping into 2026 with courage, boundaries, bold energy, and way less caring about what the wrong people think.

Let’s get into it 💛

Follow Leighton for all the details on dance classes and what he's up to next on IG @leejay____

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs" and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! Episodes drop Thursdays. Usually.
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes: @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

Thank you to our sponsor - Mercury Salon! Head to Mercury at 43 Allen Street to see Felicia and have all of your hairy needs met. Call her to book an appointment: (716) 883-8800

It’s 2026, babies, and you know what that means. It’s goal-setting time. In this solo episode, I’m sharing exactly how I’m planning my year, my goals (big and tiny), and what actually worked for me in 2025. From ADHD chaos to hair loss hell to realizing I’ve been emotionally held hostage by one lipstick comment since 2013 -this one’s a full-on heart-to-heart. I talk about quitting Adderall, reorganizing my office mid-spiral, the reason behind my word of the year (MONEYYY), and building real systems to actually follow through on goals.

If you’re a neurodivergent human, a chronically overextended woman, or just tired of setting resolutions that flop by February - this one’s for you. You’ll leave with a tangible, doable system for setting goals that make sense (and stick), plus a reminder that you’re not alone in trying to figure it all out.

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs" and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! Episodes drop Thursdays. Usually.
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes: @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

Thank you to our sponsor - Mercury Salon! Head to Mercury at 43 Allen Street to see Felicia and have all of your hairy needs met. Call her to book an appointment: (716) 883-8800

Hi friends! Welcome back to Mostly All Figured Out! It’s 2026, and I’m kicking off this year by choosing a theme for myself that feels big and a little scary: money. Yep. This is the year I stop playing small, stop doing free labor, and start owning the value I bring - in business, in life, in everything.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the past few years of choosing a "word of the year" (remember freedom? gamechanger? routine?) and sharing why this year is all about financial growth, CEO energy, and actually believing I’m the boss I already am. I’m diving into what held me back before, what I’m focusing on now, and what I’m no longer available for (spoiler alert: burnout and undercharging).

If you’ve been feeling stuck in survival mode, unsure how to level up, or just need a nudge to finally pick your own word of the year - this one’s for you.

I’m talking about:

• How I pick my annual theme and why it matters
• What “money” really means to me this year
• The tough love I got from a friend that changed everything
• ADHD, routines, and finding a rhythm that actually works
• And how I plan to grow this podcast and my income this year

Let’s make 2026 the year we show up differently - more confident, more intentional, and more in charge of our lives. What’s your theme for the year? Let me know. Let’s do this together.

Support the show

💸 Want to support the pod? There’s a new listener support option now! Click the link above to be a part of the "Bunch of MAFOs" and I'll love you forever. Thank you to the current bunch!! Paul F, Michael H, Bridget W, Sam S, Ben S, Lauren B, Maria Q, Lizzy, Brandon G, and Mama 💜

What to do now?

• Subscribe to the channel! Episodes drop Thursdays. Usually.
• Follow us on Instagram: @mostlyallfiguredout
• To connect with me about event and fundraising consulting for your nonprofit, shoot me a DM on IG @inspiredeventscollective!
• Subscribe to the YouTube Channel to watch the episodes: @mostlyallfiguredout ‬
• Please rate and review the podcast! It really helps to get it in front of more people. And we love you for it.

Show theme music by: @4thstringaudio

Thank you to our sponsor - Mercury Salon! Head to Mercury at 43 Allen Street to see Felicia and have all of your hairy needs met. Call her to book an appointment: (716) 883-8800