Join me in this enlightening episode where Leslie Sann, a seasoned teacher and pearl cultivator of human joy, shares insights from over four decades of guiding people through life's grit toward gleaming pearls of joy. Discover how to turn adversity into blessings, the importance of acceptance, and practical tools for cultivating happiness, regardless of circumstances.

She talks about midlife, her divorces and what she was thinking when she found herself alone on a snowy, winter night.

Key Topics:

The metaphor of pearl cultivation to transform adversity into joy

Defining grit as unexpected circumstances and how to dance with life's change

The role of acceptance and response in awakening and joy

The significance of mindset reframing versus drastic external changes

Practical strategies to embrace aloneness, loss, and life's unpredictable shifts

How to identify and expand your personal joy portfolio

The importance of self-honoring, forgiveness, and gratitude in the journey to joy

Living intentionally and authentic joy beyond societal expectations

Leslie’s personal stories of resilience, including her snowblower story and solo journey

Practical tools to move beyond pity parties and cultivate a joyful attitude

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Leslie Sann, joy teacher and pearl cultivator
00:28 - Grounding meditation to receive joy and blessings
03:32 - What does it mean to be a pearl cultivator? Turning grit into blessings
04:40 - The metaphor of irritation and growth in oysters as a life lesson
07:24 - How Leslie defines grit: life's unexpected changes and our dance with them
09:16 - How awakening sparks through responding, not reacting, to life's circumstances
12:14 - The role of reframing mindset around joy, success, and life purpose
14:52 - Joy as authenticity versus societal standards and external achievements
18:06 - Personal stories of divorce and resilience as catalysts for growth
23:04 - The snowblower story: reframing challenges with humor and acceptance
27:01 - Moving from victim stories to gratitude and empowerment in hardship
32:38 - Recognizing our true identity beyond thoughts and circumstances
37:03 - Tools for letting go of judgment, practicing kindness to oneself
42:14 - The process of evolving joy with age and authenticity
46:24 - Nourishing joy through living aligned with our passions and essence
50:05 - Identifying feelings associated with joy to deepen awareness
54:28 - The importance of joy as a choice, not a circumstance
55:34 - Leslie’s role as an educator in cultivating consciousness and skills for joy
59:10 - Embracing change as a friend and a catalyst for new possibilities
60:51 - Connecting with Leslie and exploring her upcoming programs

Resources& Links:

Connect with Leslie:

LeslieSann - Official Website

Workshop:Go Pearl Yourself

Meditation & Grounding Techniques

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Connect with Laura

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In this honest and deeply personal episode, Laura explores what it really means to “show up anyway” when life doesn’t unfold as planned. Speaking from her own lived experience, Laura reflects on a nonlinear career filled with unexpected pivots, creative risks, and reinvention.

From launching a spray tan business to building a podcast that turned into a keynote platform, Laura shares how every chapter—no matter how messy or uncertain—served as a stepping stone rather than a setback. She introduces the idea of the “spaghetti phase,” a season of trying, experimenting, and discovering what truly sticks.

This episode is a powerful call to women navigating transitions, especially in midlife, to stop performing at “fine,” get radically honest about what they want, and trust that their path is still unfolding. With warmth, humor, and real talk, Laura offers five actionable ways to reclaim your energy, redefine your timeline, and build a life that feels aligned—no matter when you start.

Connect with Laura

laura@unhookedwomen.com

www.unhookedwomen.com

https://www.facebook.com/UnhookedWomenPodcast

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https://www.tiktok.com/@unhookedwomen

https://www.youtube.com/@Unhooked_Women_Podcast

Hey girlfriend… welcome to Unhooked.

If you’ve been asking yourself:
What’s next? Why doesn’t this feel right anymore? What am I missing?

You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.

This first episode is your invitation to step into something different. Not a complete life overhaul… but a reset. A reframe. A recalibration.

Because here’s the truth:
You don’t need fixing. You need freedom.

In this kickoff episode, Laura introduces the Unhooked movement and what it means to start living life on your own terms.

This isn’t just a podcast.
It’s a space for women over 40 to unhook from:

• Expectations
• Roles that no longer fit
• The pressure to “have it all together”
• And yes… even the bra and the BS

You’ll also hear how Unhooked evolved from The Braless Lush—and why that bold, playful, slightly rebellious energy isn’t going anywhere… it’s just growing up with you.

You did everything right. So why doesn’t it feel right?

If something feels off, it doesn’t mean you’re behind or broken. It means you’re ready for a shift.

This episode helps you recognize that quiet nudge and start listening to it instead of pushing it down.

Connect with Laura

laura@unhookedwomen.com

www.unhookedwomen.com

https://www.facebook.com/UnhookedWomenPodcast

https://www.instagram.com/unhooked_women_podcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@unhookedwomen

https://www.youtube.com/@Unhooked_Women_Podcast