In this bonus clip, Terra shares how she finds magic in the in-between moments—reading for pleasure, chatting with strangers in a hot tub, and creating space to be fully present. We talk about the challenges of maintaining boundaries and self-awareness in a busy world, emphasizing the need to appreciate small moments and give oneself credit for progress. It’s as a reminder to leave room for joy and magic in everyday life.

Keywords

work, rest, boundaries, joy, opportunities, self-awareness,presence, gratitude, magic, conversations

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

“I love the magic. I believe in the magic. And if my life is full to the brim, there is no space for the magic.”

"It’s just work."

🔗 Important Links

Website: https://www.bookandbottlestpete.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book_and_bottle/

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief @ www.thedawnlab.com

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

In this episode of Work is Third, Terra Dunham-dog mom, book and wine lover, lifelong learner, self-proclaimed struggling overachiever, and founder of one of our favorite local gems, Book + Bottle, shares what it really looks like to chase big dreams while learning to slow down and let go of perfection.

We talk about learning to do B+ work, building a team you can trust, the wisdom of a hot tub full of strangers, and how fiction can transport us in healing ways. If you've ever struggled to slow down or felt guilty for needing a break, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• The myth of giving 100%
• Overwork as identity and habit
• Delegating and trusting your team
• Meditation, presence, and mini-resets
• The power of fiction and creative rest

• Reframing "busy" and redefining success

Books Mentioned

We Should All Be Millionaires – Rachel Rodgers

Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes

Yes Man – Danny Wallace (mentioned via the Jim Carreymovie adaptation)

Be Ready When the Luck Happens – Ina Garten

Measure What Matters – John Doerr

How to Not Always Be Working – Marlee Grace

Over Work – Brigid Schulte

The Way of Integrity – Martha Beck

Keywords

gratitude, teamwork, entrepreneurship, business independence, work-life balance, decision fatigue, mental health, meditation, boundaries, integrity

📂 Section Markers

01:13 Section 1: Building a Business, Balancing a Life

26:30 Section 2: Making Tough Decisions for Your Future Self

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Gratitude and Teamwork

01:55 The Birth of Book & Bottle

03:02 Navigating Business Independence

05:16 Balancing Work and Business Ownership

07:48 Decision Fatigue and Team Dynamics

09:20 Learning from Your Team

10:29 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives

12:17 Defining Work and Personal Fulfillment

14:04 The Pressure of Productivity

16:21 Mental Health and Self-Care

18:32 The Practice of Meditation

21:07 Finding Balance in Life

23:08 Measuring What Matters

24:29 Color-Coding Life

26:27 Seasons of Life and Change

29:08 Making Tough Decisions

31:12 Combining Socializing with Wellness

33:19 Creative Ways to Stay Active and Social

36:07 Recognizing Burnout and Taking Time Off

37:45 Defining Work: Purpose vs. Job

40:53 The Challenge of Overwork and Perfectionism

45:02 Finding Balance and Integrity in Busy Lives

50:11 Celebrating Relationships Beyond Accomplishments

53:08 Finding Joy in Presence and Connection

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

• "I used to think giving 100% was the goal. Now I know that letting go is sometimes the real win."
• "I'm not showing up as my best self anywhere—and that's okay for now. This is just the season I’m in."
• "Reading is my meditation—when I lose myself in a book, everything else falls away."
• "I'm proud of building something that can exist without me. That’s not just success—it’s sustainability."

🔗 Important Links

Website: https://www.bookandbottlestpete.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book_and_bottle/

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief @ www.thedawnlab.com📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

In this bonus clip, Hillary Van Dyke shares what’s currently on her “joy list”—from travel with chill friends to TV binges and the deep love she has for her baby niece. We also gush over the cinematic genius of Sinners (including her cousin’s epic camera work), and reflect on how hard it still is to let ourselves be still without guilt.

This is a soft, warm moment about what it means to embrace joy without earning it—and how rest can be just as meaningful as motion.Let's Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or yourfavorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief @ ⁠www.thedawnlab.com⁠

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

In this bonus clip, Miranda McDaniel and Noelle DeLaCruz get candid about what they say “yes” to too easily, what’s hard to say “no” to, and where they’re still growing when it comes to joy, rest, and boundaries.

From Uber hustle days to bedtime routines, this conversation is a reminder that even the most intentional people have their struggles—and that’s okay. It’s all about practice.

Takeaways

• Boundaries are a continuous practice, not a one-time decision.
• It's important to learn to say no to protect your peace.
• Joy and rest often conflict, requiring intentional choices.
• Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially in social situations.
• Self-awareness is key to understanding when to rest and when to engage.
• Intentional living helps in maintaining balance in life.
• It's okay to be strong in one area and still work on others.
• Relationships can shift when prioritizing personal boundaries.
• Listening to your body is crucial for self-care.

Keywords

boundaries, joy, rest, intentional living, self-care, personal growth, mental health, relationships, work-life balance, self-awareness

💬 Sound Bites

"Your joy deserves space."

"I deserve fun, I deserve travel."

"I have to say no to fun sometimes."

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief @ ⁠www.thedawnlab.com⁠

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

What happens when two friends, former co-hosts, andjustice-driven leaders sit down to reflect on the evolution of their work, their identities, and their boundaries? Miranda McDaniel, founder of The Social Content Lab, and Noelle DeLaCruz, a school psychologist and LGBTQ+ advocate,share how their friendship shaped their podcast, The Unpacked Project, and how setting boundaries helped them navigate burnout, identity shifts, and a changing social justice landscape.

We talk entrepreneurship, self-trust, the weight of advocacywork, and how joy, rest, and aligned values can transform how we show up in the world.

🎧 Highlights:

• The physical toll of mission-driven work
• Pivoting careers without losing purpose
• Building spaces that reflect your values
• Friendship as a source of growth and accountability

👯‍♀️ Fun fact: Miranda and Noelle met on a brew bus and bonded over the Cowboys and kayaking misadventures. Their chemistry is as real as their commitment to justice.

🔗 Mentioned:

1. The Unpacked Project: https://www.instagram.com/the_unpackedproject/
2. The Social Content Lab:https://www.instagram.com/thesocialcontentlab/
3. Black Girl Bosses:https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15kXKfgFfg/

Keywords

self-care, work-life balance, personal growth, podcast, mental health, conversation, engagement, learning, support, community

📂 Section Markers

01:35 Section 1: Friendship, Fatigue, and the Weight of Work

19:58 Section 2: Identity, Belonging, and Radical Self-Trust

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts

03:05 The Importance of Boundaries in Work

05:38 Friendship and Collaboration: The Podcast Journey

08:38 Navigating Social Justice Work

11:05 Evolving Perspectives on Advocacy

13:39 Setting Intentional Boundaries

15:25 Growing and Shifting with Intention

22:47 Radical Self-Trust and Energy Awareness

25:31 Navigating Career Transitions and Self-Trust

30:38 Values and Identity in Professional Life

34:08 The Impact of Friendship on Personal Growth

39:28 Joy, Rest, and Intentional Living

39:34 Finding Joy in Conversations and Community

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

• "I had to learn radical self-trust. Listening to my body—and trusting what it’s telling me."– Miranda McDaniel
• "We box ourselves in all the time. Even when we know better, we still forget we have choices."– Noelle DeLaCruz
• "You don’t have to be at the protest to be in the movement. There are so many ways to do the work."– Miranda McDaniel
• "Our boundaries don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. We’re allowed to keep growing."– Noelle DeLaCruz
• "Why aren’t we creating community at work? That’s what makes people stay."– Miranda McDaniel

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief @ www.thedawnlab.com

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

In this special bonus episode, Dr. Nicole Taylor is back totalk about boundaries—not as a buzzword, but as a practice rooted in self-awareness, intention, and truth. From learning how to say no without guilt, to embracing your own version of success, this is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt the pressure to shrink yourself to fit in.

What we explore:

• Why boundaries are personal, dynamic, and sometimes uncomfortable
• How society, family, and work culture shape our default responses
• Saying yes to yourself—even when it’s unpopular
• Rejecting performative belonging and workplace “family” culture
• Reclaiming your agency, joy, and daily victories

Keywords

boundaries, self-worth, societal expectations, personalagency, success, happiness, work-life balance, self-definition, empowerment, personal growth

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Redefining Boundaries and Personal Agency

04:10 Embracing Self-Care and Personal Choices

07:39 Navigating Societal Expectations and Personal Identity

13:37 Defining Success on Your Own Terms

18:45 Creating Inclusive Work Environments

21:41 The Importance of Accountability in Leadership

Quotes to remember:

• “It’s easy for me to say yes to me. Probably too easy.”
• “Saying no to society’s expectations is one of the hardest things to do.”
• “Your happiness is on you—not your job.”
• “We become so inclusive that we become exclusive.”
• “My best looks different every day. Sometimes twice in the same day.”

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief @ www.thedawnlab.com

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

In this soulful and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. NicoleTaylor and host Dawn Hunter unpack the stories we grow up with about work, productivity, and success. From childhood dreams of fashion design to reflections on race, rest, and resistance, Nicole shares how shoes, hair, color, and community are more than aesthetic choices—they’re declarations of freedom.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to express your whole self or questioned what legacy you want to leave, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• The inherited narratives about work, success, and productivity

• Fashion, footwear, and the cultural meaning of shoes
• Self-expression through hair, clothing, and color
• The tension between purpose and paycheck
• Shifting from a hustle mindset to one of joy and abundance
• Finding wholeness through community and intentionality

Keywords

Black Girl Magic, Community, Legacy, Empowerment, Social Change, Fashion, Self-Expression, Productivity, Intentionality

📂 Section Markers

01:20 Section 1: Productivity, Purpose, and the Stories WeInherited

21:40 Section 2: Style, Self-Expression, and Black GirlMagic

39:43 Section 3: Time, Presence, and Living a Legacy of Joy

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Reflections on Productivity

03:43 The Impact of Upbringing on Career Choices

06:39 Navigating Expectations and Dreams

09:32 The Significance of Shoes in Identity and Culture

12:13 Expressing Identity Through Fashion and Style

17:33 The Role of Hair and Makeup in Self-Expression

22:40 Seasonal Reflections and Life Balance

25:35 Finding Joy in Everyday Life

28:31 The Importance of Mindfulness and Awareness

31:09 Slowing Down and Appreciating Life

40:03 Constructive Feedback and Accountable Leaders

42:22 Navigating Career Challenges and Employment

44:17 Defining Legacy and Life's Purpose

53:26 Don't Take Time for Granted

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

• “Time is not promised. Consider how you spend every minute—now.”
• “My legacy is that I enjoyed every day. That’s my Black girl magic."
• “You don’t need your world to be perfect to help someone else in theirs.”
• “Being still is a science. And joy is a form of freedom.”

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

📬 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief @ www.thedawnlab.com📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife

In this bonus clip, Kimberly Green-Warren gets honest about the tension between being a dreamer and staying in your lane. We talk about having too many ideas, the challenge of saying no — especially to the people we love — and the gentle reminder we all need:

✨ Everything is not meant for you. And that’s okay.

This is your permission slip to pause, to prioritize, and to stop chasing every spark.

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Kimberly: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/workisthird/episodes/Calligraphy--Sabbaticals--and-Saying-Yes-to-Joy-with-Kimberly-Green-Warren-e34jljs

Let’s Stay Connected

🎧 Follow the show on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app

💌 Subscribe to The Better Boundaries Brief: www.thedawnlab.com

📸 Instagram: @workisthirdlife